Shoe Dog

In addition to developing a taste for Japanese business, Knight also developed an interest in Japanese culture, especially the philosophy of Zen. Throughout Shoe Dog Knight returns to the motif of Zen to demonstrate his own maturity as well as that of his growing business. When recounting his very first trip to Japan, for example, Knight reflects on the lines from Zen and the Art of Archery: “Perfection in the art of swordsmanship is reached […] when your heart is troubled by no more thought of I and You, of the opponent and his sword, of one’s own sword and how to wield it” (23). In other words, forgetting the self is critical to success. At this point, still at the beginning of his journey, Zen represents a way for Knight to achieve victory as an athlete or a businessman. This philosophy is evident in Knight’s leadership style, particularly his penchant for honesty above all else, even saving face.

But what starts as a simple interest in Japanese culture developed into a life-long relationship with the country of Japan and a deeper and more nuanced understanding of its business practices. He was ashamed, for example, when an inexperienced business partner came across too aggressively in his interactions with Japanese factory owners, and Knight later developed complicated and dynamic relationships with

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