SOURCE: "Lucien Stryk: An Interview by Kent Johnson," in American Poetry Review, Vol. 19, No. 2, March/April, 1990, pp. 47-55.

In the following interview, Stryk, an American poet and translator of Zen poetry, reveals his thoughts on the work of Takahashi Shinkichi, the art of translation, and the nature of Zen in poetry.

[Kent Johnson:] Your work in the past two decades as translator and scholar has been instrumental in bringing Zen literature to the English-speaking world. Your translations of the poems of Shinkichi Takahashi are among the work that has caused the most impact. Sadly, you received a call from Japan a few months ago informing you of his death. I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to reflect today on what his work and friendship have meant to you, both personally and as a poet.

[Lucien Stryk:] The friendship has meant everything, and I have felt...