Kodo Nishimura is an LGBTQ activist, Buddhist monk and makeup artist. He was named a Next Generation Leader by Time Magazine. He currently lives in Japan where he works as a monk and makeup artist and flies around the world for speaking engagements and book launches. It all started when he realised he belonged in the LGBTQ community but didn't know how to combine that with his work as a monk. And anyway - can a monk also be a make artist?

All this makes him a unique personality, which has made him one of the most active spokespersons for the LGBTQ scene worldwide. He also had worldwide media attention with his appearance in Netflix's Queer Eye: We're in Japan!

Kodo Nishimura first moved from Japan to New York after graduation, where he worked as a makeup artist. He then completed his training as a monk in Japan. For now, he remains in Japan to work for the rights of the LGBTQ community, who are not given the space there that they have in countries like America or even Germany. However, Kodo Nishimura hopes to change the legal situation to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination.

Alethea&Art Magazine met Kodo Nishimura for an interview and also learned what it means to be gender gifted and what the teachings of Buddhism have to say about same sex.

June 2, 2022

Interview Directory 

LEADER

Name: Kodo Nishimura

Occupation: LGBTQ activist, Buddhist monk and makeup artist. He was named a Next Generation Leader by Time Magazine.

Books: This Monk Wears Heels: Be Who You Are

What does it mean to you to be called a "Next Generation Leader"?

Being named a "Next Generation Leader" makes me feel that what I am doing is right. When I was young, people didn't think I was important, mainly because I was struggling with my sexuality. I was homosexual, I wanted to draw princesses, but society didn't want to see me for who I was.

Now, when I became a leader, I want to pass on what I have learned and what I feel. Accepting diversity means helping everyone. Everyone is diverse and everyone is unique in some way. I really felt validated in my work by the Times award.

Is it also a big personal challenge to be named a great generational leader?

People don't have to risk what they are comfortable with - it's natural for them to want to stick to a tradition and something they are used to. My job is to make things simple and fun so that people learn about LGBTQ rights, different religions and equality.

Have you heard from your followers that your principles have helped them, especially in relation to their sexuality?

In March I was in London and met a very june participant, a teenager. She was born in a female body and told me that in her hometown no one understands her and she is thought to be crazy. They said that by reading my book they understood themselves.

I felt how important my work was to them, and I felt that my trip to London had been right just because of that experience. 

©Kodo Nishimura

"We are all the same, only our bodies may be different, but our insides are the same."

Can you explain "gender-gifted" in your words to my readers?

My female friends say to me: oh, you are a woman - and I stress - yes, I am a woman. A boy is told - you have to be strong - and I ask myself, why do I have to be strong just because I am a boy? I feel like I can emphasise both genders and think beyond the binary of male and female.

We are all the same, only our bodies may be different, but our insides are the same. I can tell my female friends that just because you are a woman, it doesn't mean you have to listen and obey a man. Also, every woman deserves the same opportunity as a man and for a man it doesn't mean he has to be the breadwinner of the house. Why can't we do the same?

I can inspire people to think beyond gender. That is a gift I have received and can pass on.

"I felt I had to pass this religion on to people in the world - many of whom feel limited or guilty towards LGBTQ people because of their religious values."

You became a Buddhist monk - did you have a choice or did your parents insist?

My parents gave me the choice. When I graduated from university, I could choose whether I wanted to take part in monk training. I felt that I wanted to experience what it was like to be a monk.

My training was very hard - but I heard that Buddism embraces everyone regardless of differences - I initially felt that Buddism would not respect LGBTQ, but I found that LGBTQ people have been equally respected for 2000 years. I felt I had to pass this religion on to people in the world - many of whom feel limited or guilty towards LGBTQ people because of their religious values. 

©Kodo Nishimura ©Kodo El Liberador

Many religions are not so open-minded towards LGBTQ.

Religious belief is something spontaneous and not something that should be forced on others. If you are born into a Catholic family, you are expected or maybe even forced to adopt that faith. Personally, I think it would be nice if everyone had a choice.

You went to New York to study make-up design - did your family encourage you?

My parents were happy to see me learning what I was interested in. Having lived in Germany for some time, they understood the importance of living in another country and understanding people from different backgrounds. 

"I have to be the hero in Japan that they've never seen before."

After New York, you returned to Tokyo, which I assume is not as open and vibrant as New York?

It's not. But I felt I had to. In Japanese anime, comedies or TV shows, LGBTG people are portrayed as villains or harassed and ridiculed.

Society thinks LGBTQ people are plotting something evil or trying to molest their children. There was never a hero or a main character. But if I become someone who is respected, which Buddhist monks are, holy people are assumed to be respectful - so if I mix those two things - maybe I can change the mentality of Japanese people. I have to be the hero in Japan that they've never seen before.

What is the situation of the LGBTG community in Japan?

In Japan, according to the statistics, 80% of LGBTG people are not able to come out in their workplace. I really hope this will change - the more you know about it, the easier it will be to talk about it. 

What is your everyday life like in Tokyo - what are you currently working on?

I do everything. I teach make - up or do TV shows, magazines, interviews, I give speeches, write books - I am an identity artist. I'm going to Germany in July and France in August because that's where the French version of my book is coming out. I'd like to be on more TV shows because more than reading books, people have access to that information. I would also like to work more out of New York - American music is very popular in the world - and the LGBTG message would spread faster.

I have a special question - you say you were also inspired by Disney films - what is your favourite character?

I like Yasmin - she was born in a royal family - walks out of this castle and meets Aladdin; it doesn't matter where from. After all, she became a sultana. I find her courage, her beauty inspiring - everything is so powerful - she gives me strength and confidence.

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Dear Kodo, thank you so much for this interview.

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©Kodo Nishimura

©Kodo El Liberador