About Zenkei Shibayama
Lived 1894 – 1974 (aged 79). Zenkei Shibayama was a Japanese esperantist, writer and meister.
, a former Abbot of Nanzen-ji, was a Japanese Rinzai master well known for his commentary on the Mumonkan. One of his better-known students was Keido Fukushima, abbot of Tōfuku-ji. Shibayama also taught at Otani University and was the head abbot of the entire Nanzenji Organization, overseeing the administration of over five hundred temples.
Due to a number of lecture tours he undertook to the United States in the 1960s, and the translation of several of his books into English, Shibayama was a significant contributor to the establishment of Zen in America.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Zenkei Shibayama's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Zenkei Shibayama's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Zenkei Shibayama?
Japanese Buddhist monk (1894-1974)
When was Zenkei Shibayama born?
Zenkei Shibayama was born on 30 November 1894 in Japan.
When did Zenkei Shibayama die?
Zenkei Shibayama died on 29 August 1974.
What was Zenkei Shibayama's occupation?
Zenkei Shibayama was an esperantist, writer and meister.
What nationality was Zenkei Shibayama?
Zenkei Shibayama was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Zenkei Shibayama. https://biography.guide/zenkei-shibayama/
MLA: "Zenkei Shibayama." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/zenkei-shibayama/.
Chicago: "Zenkei Shibayama." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/zenkei-shibayama/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:02 UTC