Tags: author
I am reading The Book of Five Rings: A Classic Text on the Japanese Way of the Sword a translation by Cleary (Musashi, 2005). Very little is publicly known about Thomas Cleary’s personal life, and that seems to have been intentional. He was described as a private, even reclusive figure, who let his translations stand as his legacy.
- He was born in 1949 in the United States and earned his PhD at Harvard in East Asian Languages and Civilizations.
- He reportedly lived much of his life in Oakland, California, dedicating himself almost entirely to translation work.
- Accounts from people who knew him suggest he was deeply committed to study and practice, living modestly and avoiding publicity.
- His brother, Jonathan Cleary, collaborated with him on some Buddhist translations (like The Blue Cliff Record).
In short, Cleary seemed to consciously remove himself from public life, focusing instead on transmitting wisdom traditions to English readers.
What we can piece together about Thomas F. Cleary’s personal life from obituaries, remembrances, and community reflections:
Birth & Family
Born on April 24, 1949, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he was the second of three brothers, raised in Summit, NJ. His parents—Thomas Francis Cleary Sr. and Shirley Jane (Klein) Cleary—were both chemists.
Academic Achievements
He earned his AB in East Asian Languages (focusing on Japanese) from Harvard College in 1972, followed by a PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations in 1975. Later, in 2005, he also received a Juris Doctor (JD) from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall, driven by a keen interest in comparative law and humanitarian solutions.
Residency & Lifestyle
Cleary lived in Oakland, California for much of his adult life, residing there until his death.
Personality & Approach
Known for being reclusive and intensely private, he avoided the academic limelight—calling universities “oppressive”—and preferred working independently, directly through his books.
Linguistic Gift & Early Passion
Notably, Cleary was deaf in one ear, yet displayed an exceptional talent for languages. He started translating as early as age 18 and went on to produce nearly 100 books from around eight different languages.
Brother Collaborations
His brother, Jonathan Christopher Cleary (J.C. Cleary), also a Harvard EALC alumnus, collaborated with him—most notably on The Blue Cliff Record.
Marriage
He was married to Kazuko Cleary, a concert pianist celebrated for her expressive performances—including a noted Carnegie Hall recital.
Spiritual & Cultural Depth
Cleary’s eye for transformative texts spanned Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam (including Sufi traditions), Greek wisdom, and even Old Irish classics—approaching each with empathy, clarity, and cultural insight.
Social Engagement
Despite his private nature, he did engage with community groups—particularly to address Islamophobia. His translation of the Qur’an was motivated in part to clarify misunderstandings about Islam among Western audiences.
Passing
Cleary died on June 20, 2021, in Oakland, California, due to complications from heart and lung damage tied to prior illnesses.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife Kazuko and his brothers: J.C. Cleary and Brian Cleary.