Norman Waddell papers, 1986-2010

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Collection is open for research. The Burton Watson letters are closed to research until July 29, 2025. Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special...
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Summary

Creator:
Waddell, Norman
Abstract:
Author, translator, and teacher Norman Waddell was born in Washington, D.C. in 1940, and he moved to Japan in 1965. He is an emeritus professor at Otani University in Kyoto, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Literature (LittD) and where he taught for more than thirty years. He has translated works by notable Zen figures such as Suzuki D.T. (Daisetz Teitarō), Dōgen Kigen, Bankei Yōtaku, and Hakuin Ekaku. Waddell's papers include correspondence from: Zen teacher Robert Aitken, who was a co-founder of the Diamond Sangha in Honolulu; artist Frederick Franck; and scholar and translator Burton Watson.
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet
25 Megabytes
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.11760

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes correspondence from: Zen teacher Robert Aitken, who was a co-founder of the Diamond Sangha in Honolulu; artist Frederick Franck; and scholar and translator Burton Watson. Much of the correspondence concerns writing, editing, publishing, and translating works about Zen Buddhism. Frederick Franck includes sketches on many of his letters; there are also few "Shoestring" newsletters from Pacem-in-Terris, the sculpture garden in Warwick, NY created by Frederick and Claske Franck.

Biographical / historical:

Author, translator, and teacher Norman Waddell was born in Washington, D.C. in 1940, and he moved to Japan in 1965. He is an emeritus professor at Otani University in Kyoto, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Literature (LittD) and where he taught for more than thirty years. He has translated works by notable Zen figures such as Suzuki D.T. (Daisetz Teitarō), Dōgen Kigen, Bankei Yōtaku, and Hakuin Ekak

Acquisition information:
The Norman Waddell papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2019 and 2021.
Processing information:

Processed by Laurin Penland, July, 2019

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2019-0082, 2021-0139.

Updated by Leah Tams, December 2021.

Arrangement:

Correspondence arranged alphabetically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Zen Buddhism -- Japan -- 20th century.
Zen Buddhism -- North America -- 20th century.
Names:
Diamond Sangha
Pacem in Terris (Museum : Warwick, N.Y.)
Otani Daigaku
Waddell, Norman
Aitken, Robert, 1917-2010
Franck, Frederick, 1909-2006
Watson, Burton, 1925-2017
Places:
Warwick (N.Y.) -- 20th century

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

The Burton Watson letters are closed to research until July 29, 2025.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are electronic records that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Access restricted. Electronic records in this collection require additional arrangement, description, and/or screening. Contact Research Services for more information.

Terms of access:

The donor asserts copyright interests in this collection. Contact Rubenstein Library Research Services regarding publication permissions.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Norman Waddell Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.