Ivan Morris

Ivan Ira Esme Morris (29 November 1925 – 19 July 1976) was a British author and teacher in the field of Japanese Studies.

Ivan Morris was born in London to Ira Victor Morris and Edita Morris. He began his study of Japanese language and culture at Harvard University, where he received a BA. He received a doctorate at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He wrote widely on modern and ancient Japan and translated numerous classical and modern literary works. Ivan Morris was one of the first interpreters sent into Hiroshima after the explosion of the bomb.

Dr Morris served on the faculty of Columbia University from 1960 to 1973 and was chairman of Columbia's Department of East Asian languages and Cultures from 1966 to 1969. In 1966 he was elected a Fellow of St Antony's College, Oxford. He was one of the founders of Amnesty International USA and was the first chair of its Board of Directors from 1973 to 1976.

Ivan Morris died in Bologna, Italy, on 19 July 1976.

Works

* "The Tale of Genji Scroll"
* "Dictionary of Selected Forms in Classical Japanese Literature"
* "The Nobility of Failure: Tragic Heroes in the History of Japan"
* "The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan"

Translations

* "Thought and Behaviour in Modern Japanese Politics" by Masao Maruyama
* "The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon"
* "Life of an Amorous Woman" by Ihara Saikaku
* "As I Crossed a Bridge of Dreams" (Sarashina Nikki).
* "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion", by Yukio Mishima
* "The Journey", by Jiro Osaragi
* "Fires on the Plain", by Shohei Ooka

Works Edited

* "Nationalism and the Right Wing in Japan: A Study of Postwar Trends"
* "Japan, 1931-45: Militarism, Fascism, Japanism?"
* "The Pillow-Book Puzzles"
* "Modern Japanese Stories"
* "Madly Singing in the Mountains: an Appreciation and Anthology of Arthur Waley"