Works by
Eugen Herrigel
(Philosopher, Writer)
[March 20, 1884 - 1955]

The Method of Zen (1974)
When Eugen Herrigel died in 1955 he had published only one book, but it was a classic of its kind, Zen in the Art of Archery. He also left voluminous notes describing his six years of training under a Japanese Zen Master. These, edited and revised by Alan Watts  and others, form The Method of Zen... even surpassing Herrigel's earlier work.

Zen in the Art of Archery (1953, 1981, 1999)
It is almost impossible to understand Zen by studying it as you would other intellectual pursuits. The best way to understand Zen is, simply, to Zen. This is what author Eugen Herrigel allows us to do by sharing his own fascinating journey toward a comprehension of this illuminating philosophy. In Japan, an art such as archery is not practiced solely for utilitarian purposes such as learning to hit targets. Archery is also meant to train the mind and bring it into contact with the ultimate reality. If one really wishes to be master of an art, technical knowledge of it is not enough. One has to transcend technique so that the art becomes an “artless art” growing out of the Unconsciousness. In this way, as the author simply, clearly demonstrates, archery becomes a path to greater understanding and enlightenment.