Kodo Nishimura’s Book Tour is Coming to London
Buddhist monk, makeup artist, and an LGBTQ+ activist, Kodo Nishimura, is promoting his new book, “This Monk Wears Heels: Be Who You Are.” And if you’re in London, you can meet him in person at the Pantechnicon on March 16-17 and 19-20.
You might recognize Kodo Nishimura from the second episode of Netflix’s Queer Eye: We’re in Japan. And since then, he’s become an international star, featured in Time Magazine’s 2021 Next Generation Leaders. And his new book follows one of his favorite Buddhist quotes, “Shining in our own color is beautiful.”
In a recent interview, Nishimura said he always loved self-help books because they helped him to be hopeful, especially when felt inferior about ethnicity, Japanese, when he was 18. But it was through a self-help book that he gained confidence even if he didn’t have blue eyes and blonde hair. And now, he feels it’s his time to help people transform their “differences” or feelings of “otherness” into confidence.
Now he is bringing his inspiring journey to self-love and self-definition to Pantechnicon in a series of four exclusive events (all in GMT):
Wednesday, March 16th
Show Your Colours Make-Up Workshops
2:30 PM – 4 PM; 6 PM to 7:30 PM
The ultimate tutorial to gender-neutral make-up, a guide to non-traditional beauty looks that are inclusive, body-positive, and gender fluid.
Thursday, March 17th
This Monk Wears Heels Book Launch
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Nishimura’s new book is filled with practical tips for positive thinking, insights into the philosophical approach, but it also delves into his Buddhist monk journey to self-love. The book provides a gentle, loving, and encouraging voice for all those who dare to be different.
Saturday, March 19th
Changing the LGBTQIA+ Conversation in the East
2 PM – 3:30 PM
While there has been a proliferation of positive LGBTQIA+ representations in western media in recent years, eastern media has been slow to follow suit. During this intimate chat and reunion with his Queer Eye: We’re in Japan! co-star Kan (@kanyonce), the two share how they are working to convince older generations and the LGBTQIA+ youth in Japan, as well as people around the world, to accept that it’s okay to be YOU – whoever you are!
Sunday, March 20th
Be Who You Are: A Talk About Sexuality & Buddhism
3:30 PM – 5 PM
This will follow a private dinner for up to 20 guests (6 PM – 8:30 PM). A chat on Buddhism’s take on sexuality, inclusivity, and self-identity, and how Nishimura is working to use his platform to add his unique voice and perspective to conversations surrounding spirituality and LGBTQIA+ rights within the modern era.
