A chat with Kodo Nishimura for One Kind Voice
“Whatever our beliefs, let’s improve our understanding and celebrate diversity.”
Magdalena
5/3/2026
I have been fortunate enough to have the time to attend the “Longevity conference” in Hong Kong, on 20th of March 2026. The event was promising to deliver not only data and latest insights into the science of longevity, the logistics and the implications of staying healthy and hence improve one’s chances of a good lived life and long years but also to soften the tone of hard data and specialists’ views with breaks of meditation, ballet on the porch, muscle testing work-outs. The surprise came at the very end when we saw a gentleman dressed in a superb green kimono, wearing natural make-up and boots in heels. This rising superb Phoenix among us changed the energy of the conference at the end of a long day and elevated all of us to dream, to practice tapping and relaxation and more over to deep listen to a vulnerable story of being both a monk and a gender-fluid person (as Kodo describes himself in his book). I have been captivated by his courage and he generously accepted to join me in an interview for my intimate group of followers for the One Kind Voice platform.
Kodo Nishimura presented himself as “The Monk Who Wears Heels” and lives by the slogan “Be Who You Are”. Kodo Nishimura gives us a masterclass in how to blend plurality of our roots, the ancestors, the Buddhist trainings and at the same time discover a passion for English language and curiosity for the world outside Japan and he embarked on the path to becoming an artist, going to an art school, and further on becoming a make-up artist as well.
Kodo Nishimura flew from Japan and came to that stage in front of an international audience to speak through colours, storytelling and self-regulation calming practices. He has proved to us that we are all more than a predefined “box”.
We all outflow the boxes predetermined by the culture we were born into.
We all outflow the box of a title, a job, suspended into an illusionary time.
We all outflow the boundaries of the gender definitions.
We all wear a variety of hats, or a variety of kimonos.
We all are part of togetherness, inclusion, tolerance, compassion. These are not only words, shapes, forms. These are practices. These are practices of love for everyone including ourselves.
Amid our journey, we learn to understand ourselves better and we learn to transform, should we see the value of this movement that we can lead at our own pace.
This is the One Kind space where I connect with people I meet. With their inner strength of never giving up, believing in a dream, and showing up diligently.
In this particular case, Kodo has become one with One Kind Voice, he fully embraced the concept without any introduction and rehearsal, and he makes the choice in his life to trust the One Kind Voice present in us.
“Do you know what Kodo means: Ko – broad minded and do – confident. When I was young I used to find my name ironics as I was the opposite of that .I was always judging others and myself and I had no confidence.”
Kodo Nishimura, 2022: 254
Dear Kodo – thank you so much for saying yes so kindly to this interview.
I would confirm here that your speech, your being in the world now, all the messages and sharing in your book it can only show how much have you walked, with style too, on the path of confidence. It looks like you truly embraced your name.
I wish everyone that you will take a quiet time to listen to Kodo Nishimura and listen to his profound messages.
His book is beautiful and I hope there will be a second print coming out as I have bought the last copies on Amazon before the talk.
I would like to leave you here with a couple more of the quotes from the book and some images, practices that Kodo shared with us and moreover, Dharma teachings and Buddhist philosophy in simple to relate life examples. Everything that we learn, study, be, create is interconnected. I salute all of us trying to keep the dots connected and make sense of all that is real in our lives.
“Whatever our beliefs, let’s improve our understanding and celebrate diversity.”
May you be the light for all those afraid to share their true identity
May you continue to deliver your messages with the world in such a kind voice
May you flourish in your mission to make the world inclusive and friendly
Very grateful for the gift of you, Kodo.
One of my favourite practices Kodo mentions in his book:
“We will always be caught up in the three poisons of anger, greed and ignorance. (as per the Buddhist beliefs). Therefore we chant and pray that we do not come back to the cycle of life and suffer more. […] We are taught that we can be liberated as long as we chant faithfully even if we are mere humans who constantly make mistakes. Which is non-discriminatory and forgiving. I do not expect you to chant the name of Buddha, because I know everyone has their own values. But I can introduce you my favourite way to listen to your heart that I think can be utilized regardless of a person’s faith.”
Kodo has touched many hearts in his presentation for the Longevity Conference. He has open my heart ever more so while reading his book, and he connected with me deeply as he is the special guest who has kept repeating the name One Kind Voice and integrated in his interview with me so seamlessly. It has been the very first time when I had the privilege to be “chanted” the name many times, a timely reminder about what I dream to create.
May we all find the One Kind Voice to express ourselves without fear and with confidence just like Kodo learnt to do.
“Imagine all your dreams come true and let’s celebrate already”
Connect with Kodo:
Grateful for the Longevity Conference’ s organizers, Maaike and Anca, who brought us such wonderful guests from around the globe.
Longevity in Focus Summit - OM Health Hub
Thank you for your patience as usual especially when I miss the weekly deadlines. I have worked in the background on more guests interviews and hope to bring more activity over this space too in the summer. See you soon and hopefully you will enjoy the interview with Kodo as much as I did.
Sending hugs, on a rainy and cozy evening from Hong Kong.
© 2026 OneKindVoice. All rights reserved.
Keep in touch
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates
