Watch a recording of the event in the player above.

Following the July screenings of the NHK WORLD-JAPAN documentary A Monk Who Wears Heels, Japan House London is delighted to present an online talk with its star, Kodo Nishimura. A Buddhist monk, makeup artist and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Nishimura is also the author of the book This Monk Wears Heels: Be Who You Are. Join us for a recording of this online Q&A session, during which Kodo Nishimura elaborates on topics he addresses in the documentary and his book, such as self-acceptance, freedom of expression through fashion and how Buddhist teachings can help one to embrace one’s identity.

About the speaker

Kodo Nishimura

Kodo Nishimura is an artist, Buddhist monk, and LGBTQ+ rights activist. He was born in Tokyo in 1989. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York, he pursued his career as a makeup artist, working behind the scenes of Miss Universe and NY Fashion Week. In 2015, Kodo trained to be a monk and was certified by the Pure Land school. As an activist, he has spoken at numerous conferences and events, addressing Buddhism and diversity, LGBTQ+ rights and social inclusion. He has appeared on television shows and in fashion magazines, both in Japan and abroad. His book This Monk Wears Heels: Be Who You Are has been published in Japanese and translated into English, German, French, Estonian, Spanish and Italian.