Eisai

Myōan Eisai/Yōsai (明菴栄西, May 27, 1141 – July 2, 1215) was a Japanese Buddhist priest, credited with bringing both the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and green tea from China to Japan. He is often known simply as Eisai/Yōsai Zenji (栄西禅師), literally "Zen master Eisai".

Biography

Born in Bitchū Province (modern-day Okayama, Okayama), Eisai was ordained as a monk in the Tendai sect. Dissatisfied with the state of Buddhism at the time, in 1168 he set off on his first trip to Mt. Tiantai in China, the origin of the sect, where he learned of the primacy of the Chan (later known in Japan as Zen) school in Chinese Buddhism of the time. He spent only six months in China on this first trip, but returned in 1187 for a longer stay as a disciple of Xuan Huaichang, a master in the Linji (Rinzai) line, at Jingde Si (Ching-te-ssu, 景德寺) monastery.

After his certification as a Zen teacher, Eisai returned to Japan in 1191, bringing with him Zen scriptures and tea seeds. He immediately founded the Hōon Temple in remote Kyūshū, Japan's first Zen temple.

Call Me (Anna Vissi song)

"Call Me" is a song by Greek-Cypriot singer Anna Vissi, originally released in 2003 in Greek as "Eisai" (You Are). Written by Nikos Karvelas, "Call Me" was released in October 2004 as a promo track for radio stations in the U.S. and DJs by Nicky Kalliongis on his record label Moda Records. It was later released in April 2005 during its Billboard success as a digital download. After its Billboard success, it was released in Greece and Cyprus as a CD Single.

Background

"Call Me" was originally released in Greek as "Eisai" (You Are) on Vissi's 2003 album Paraksenes Eikones. After Anna Vissi flew to NYC to play a few songs for Nicky Kalliongis, he suggested that they release Eisai in the U.S.A. with English lyrics. In late 2004, Vissi signed with Nicky Kalliongis and his record label Moda Records in New York City for the release of "Call Me". Under the guidance of Nicky Kalliongis and with him overseeing the production and remixes it reached the #1 position on the Billboard Hot Club Play Chart and #2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay Chart. It was also added to popular American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch's store playlist nationwide. In February 2005, Moda Records released "Call Me" as a digital download, including the original mix and many DJ mixes. Some of the remixes available with the downloaded included remixes by DJs Valentine, Chris Cox, Friscia & Lamboy, Georgia, Lee Cabrera, Mike Cruz, Riddler, and more. Around the same time, the song also peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Dance Charts. To further promote the track, Vissi went on a mini club tour around United States and Canada.

Eisai (company)

Eisai Co., Ltd. (エーザイ株式会社, Ēzai Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese pharmaceutical company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It has some 10,000 employees, among them about 1,500 in research. Eisai is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a member of the Topix 100 and Nikkei 225 stock indices.

History

Nihon Eisai Co. Ltd. was established in 1941. In 1944, merger with Sakuragaoka Research Laboratory resulted in creation of Eisai Co. Ltd. The American subsidiary of the company, Eisai Inc., was established in 1995.

In 1996, Eisai received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Aricept (donepezil), a drug discovered in the company's labs and co-marketed with Pfizer. Three years later in 1999, the company received USFDA approval for Aciphex (rabeprazole), a drug co-marketed with Johnson & Johnson.

In September 2006, the company acquired four oncology products from Ligand Pharmaceuticals.

In April 2007, Eisai acquired Exton, Pennsylvania-based Morphotek, a company developing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases.