D.T. Suzuki, known formally as Daisetsu Teitarō Suzuki, lived from 1870 to 1966, a span of years that witnessed profound transformations in both Japan and the wider world. His lifetime thus bridges the late nineteenth century and much of the twentieth, allowing his work to serve as a conduit between traditional Zen lineages and emerging global conversations about spirituality. To contemplate these dates is to recognize how his presence extended across eras of upheaval and renewal, giving his writings a particular resonance for seekers navigating cultural and philosophical change.

He was born on October 18, 1870, in Kanazawa, Japan, and died on July 12, 1966, in Kamakura, Japan, at the age of 95. These biographical details, though simple on the surface, mark the arc of a life steeped in both scholarship and contemplative practice. From birth in a regional Japanese city to death in a historic center of Zen, his journey traces a symbolic path through the landscapes that shaped his understanding of the Dharma. For many who study his work, the longevity of his life mirrors the enduring influence of his efforts to articulate Zen in a form accessible beyond its original cultural setting.