“Delightful! Keido Fukushima is a wonderful Japanese Zen Master, full of humor, short and tall tales, and easygoing words that evoke deep truths. Grace and Peter Schireson, Zen Masters in their own right, have managed to find just the right English voice to convey the spirit of this salty old Zen man. Their affection for him shines through in every word. You will cross Zen Bridge with pleasure.”

– Zoketsu Norman Fischer, author of What Is Zen? and Training in Compassion

“A treasure to the world. Each spare talk in Fukushima Roshi’s simple, lucid English is like a shaving planed from a block of flawless Cedar—aromatic, deeply grained, and luminous. I leave it feeling as if I’ve spent a great night with a new friend—a great Zen teacher. Don’t miss this book. Don’t miss this man.”

– Hosho Peter Coyote, Zen priest and film actor

“A terrific book for those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of Rinzai Zen. These lectures offer engaging exposition of numerous traditional koans and stories. Rather than a ‘finger pointing to the moon,’ Fukushima Roshi’s talks provide a sturdy bridge to the awakened world of the far shore, where you are you, just as you are.”

– Edward Espe Brown, author of The Complete Tassajara Cookbook

“The voice of wisdom for all time is present in this subtle and remarkable book of teachings by Fukushima Roshi.”

– Joan Halifax, Abbot, Upaya Zen Center

“Reading Zen Bridge is like having Fukushima Roshi himself in front of you, right here and right now, with all his warmth, humor and wisdom.”

– Stephen Addiss, author of The Art of Zen

“Keido Fukushima is one of the signal Rinzai masters of our times. Here in this wonderful anthology of his teachings, we find the master, clear, and humorous, and always driving to the heart of the great matter. You can feel the twinkle in his eye, and the constant pointing to the deep in a way rarely as inviting as we find here. Besides, how can anyone resist a Zen master who loves chocolate?”

– James Ishmael Ford, author of If You're Lucky, Your Heart Will Break

“In a clear and profound voice these short chapters range from introductions to Zen, through Rinzai training, and then on to illuminating koan commentaries. In a manner that few books offer, this volume allows both the beginner and the advanced student to see into the realities of Zen practice. Fukushima’s words clarify and then clarify again our entangled human heart, freeing up our natural grace and wisdom.”

– Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD, author of The Present Heart