This is the first comprehensive biography of Japan's cultural founder and ancient genius to be published in 30 years. Kukai was a visionary Japanese monk of the ninth century whose profound influence touched every aspect of Japan's civilization. Known as the father of Japanese culture, he invented the kana syllabary, the basis of Japanese written language forms; was the originator of the pilgrimage circuit of 88 temples in Shikoku; a builder of lakes; a poet, calligrapher and sculptor; and the lexicographer who compiled the oldest extant dictionary. He was also the founder of the oldest school in Japan. Kukai is undoubtedly the greatest figure in Japan删s history, creating the very fundamentals of its national culture. For this he was honored as a saint, under the name of Kobo Daishi. The author, Shiba Ryotaro (1923-1996), was a highly respected historical novelist and critic with a unique viewpoint. He wrote 57 novels and numerous critiques on Japanese and Asian civilization, all of which have a wide audience in Japan. Ryotaro spent over ten years on this visualization of the life and philosophy of Kukai, a gifted cosmopolitan whose genius can be compared to that of Leonardo da Vinci. Kukai the Universal earned Ryotaro the Imperial Award of the Japan Academy in 1976. He was also awarded the prestigious Naoki Prize for one of his earliest novels (1960) and the Order of Culture for his life achievements (1993).
