"Buddha and innovation: Japanese businessmen’s Zen nexus, 1868-1945"

This paper is a business history survey on the relation between Zen and Japanese entrepreneurs from the Meiji Restoration (1868) to the end of the Second World War (1945). I use the term Zen nexus to describe person or activity that connects Japanese businessmen interested in Zen—most of them shared the psychological contradiction between Zen and capitalism, together. This paper examines three Zen nexus: Master Shaku Sōen (1860–1919), Tea Ceremony, and Dr. Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (D.T. Suzuki, 1877-1966). Shaku Sōen and D.T. Suzuki were two generations of Zen masters that reached international recognition for their wisdom. Both had followers in business circle. Tea Ceremony, a Japanese way of enjoying Matcha Tea, its contextual surroundings and ceremonial atmosphere, is overwhelmingly influenced by Zen. Before the rise of golf, Tea Ceremony was popular among Japanese elites for interpersonal communication. This paper first explores Shaku Sōen and D.T. Suzuki’s life, their spiritual struggle with capitalism, their view on economic activities, and the businessmen networks surrounding them. Then the paper will explore the business connection of Tea Ceremony and study to what extent did Tea Ceremony sha