"Pioneer teacher of Zen in USA. Born in Japan and trained as a dragon carver. 1931: Buddhist Society of America formed （later First Zen Institute of New York， later still of America）. Group slowly grew and in 1938 was joined by Ruth Fuller Everett. Her son-in-law， Alan Watts， studied with Sokei-an for a short time. 1942: internment camp as enemy alien.

1944: married Ruth Everett."