[Mindful City Kamakura Week Finale]

Zen2.0 2026 at Kenchoji Temple

Theme: "The Resonance of Life"

"Mindful City Kamakura Week (MCKW)" has been weaving together the harmony of mind, body, and society throughout the entire city of Kamakura.

To conclude this week-long journey, we will be holding "Zen2.0" at Kencho-ji Temple , the head temple and origin of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

In the serene space of prayer at Kencho-ji Temple, which boasts a history of over 770 years, the ancient wisdom of Zen intersects with cutting-edge modern intellect (happiness studies, AI, philosophy, regeneration, and a cosmic perspective).

Beyond simply listening, through Zen meditation, Zen Eating, sound bath meditation, physical work, and dialogue in which each participant becomes an active participant, we deeply experience the connection between our own "life" and all things in nature.

This is a day for dialogue about what we can do now for the future. What kind of lifestyle will we have in the next era, and what values should we truly cherish?

Let us quietly deepen our questions and resonate with each other at Kenchoji Temple in Kamakura as autumn deepens.

■ Program Contents

*Please note that the title and order may change.

• Registration and opening of venue (9:30 AM onwards)

  • Registration is at the Oshinkaku Pavilion of Kencho-ji Temple.

• Opening (10:00~)

  • A story from a monk at Kencho-ji Temple

    • Takayuki Matsumoto, Kencho-ji Temple

  • Opening (Welcome from Zen2.0)

    • Mikio Shishido / Makiko Ishiwata (Murase) (Zen2.0, a general incorporated association)

    • Opening remarks and explanation of today's purpose

• Zen meditation

• Dialogue Session 1: Well-being and the Questions of Our Time

• Dialogue Session 2: Regeneration and the Rebirth of Life

• Lunch at Zen Eating

• Sound bath meditation

• Keynote Panel Discussion: "The Resonance of Life"

  • Yasutaka Isobe × Yasuhiko Imamura × Shinya Fujii

• Group activity: "Spontaneous Dialogue & Checkout"

  • Facilitator: Stephen Murphy Shigematsu

• Closing Session

  • Kazuya Yokozawa (Stone flute performance)

■ Main speakers and performers (in alphabetical order, titles omitted) (tentative )

Masaru Araki (Professor Emeritus, Okayama University / Former Vice President, Okayama University / Head of Tokyo Shoyo Juku)

Born on December 2, 1949, in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

In 1979, I withdrew from the doctoral program in Political Science at the Graduate School of Law, Nagoya University, after completing the required coursework.

Obtained a PhD (Academic) from International Christian University in 2011.

1984 Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Okayama University

1989 Professor, Faculty of Law, Okayama University (Western political history) (until March 2007)

2000-2001: Visiting Researcher, Faculty of History, University of Poznań, Republic of Poland

2001: Visiting Researcher, Department of Classics, University of Cambridge, UK

2011: Board Member (Responsible for Social Contribution and International Affairs) and Vice President of Okayama University (until March 2017)

In 2017, he became Professor Emeritus at Okayama University, Visiting Professor at Jilin University, and Professor Emeritus at Northeast Normal University.

Major monographs: *The Multilayered Nature of Aristotle's Political Philosophy* (July 2011, Sobunsha), *Polish Chronicles and National Traditions* (December 2018, Gunzosha)

Taishin Isobe (Chief priest of Taikoan, Tofuku-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism)

Born in 1983 in a Zen temple in Kyoto, he naturally began practicing Zen meditation around the age of three and enjoyed reading picture books about Buddha, showing his familiarity with Zen from a young age. He discovered his passion for music in junior high school and worked as a jazz guitarist while attending Ritsumeikan University. Inspired by the words of a jazz pianist, he decided to pursue the path of Zen, and after graduating from university, he trained under Master Taigan Kobori at Kennin Zen Temple. Subsequently, he served as an attendant to Master Soran Endo, the head of the Tofuku-ji branch of the Rinzai school, and further studied Zen under Master Tenseki Iitaka. He also studied Daruma-ryu Kenpo under Master Susumu Nishimura, honing his skills in ancient physical techniques. Currently, he presides over Sangha, conducting Zen workshops for organizational leaders, including business owners, and monks in specialized Zen training centers.

Yasuhiko Imamura (Representative Director, VIE Co., Ltd.)

Kazuma Oto (Developer of Singing Bowls / Acoustic Researcher)

Representative Director of the Singing Bowl Association, and Councilor of the International Society for Personalized Medicine. Graduated from Shizuoka University Graduate School and Sophia University Counseling Institute, holding a Master's degree in Education.

After working as a clinical psychologist and psychological counselor, she lived in Los Angeles and New York for eight years, experiencing her eldest daughter's battle with illness and the 9/11 attacks firsthand before returning to Japan. In December 2004, she developed the "Singing Ring®/Jet Black," an acoustic instrument that produces the ultimate overtones.

He has also developed an original sound therapy based on miraculous resonance phenomena and is dedicated to training therapists and performers both domestically and internationally. In 2019, he unveiled the world's first lapis lazuli-colored "Singing Ring®/Ruri," made from lapis lazuli and lacquer. Its miraculous acoustic effects have been recognized in academic research with universities, and it is contributing to the health of the body, mind, and soul of many modern people whose balance is disrupted.

Original CDs: "Holy Bell Resonance," "Sound Mythology." Books: "Full Harmonic Therapy CD Book" (BAB Japan), "Full Harmonic Therapy to Boost Immunity Just by Listening" (Forest Publishing), "The Power of Sound to Harmonize Mind and Body," "The Secret of Sound for the Mind and Body" (Kindle Publishing), and others.

Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu (Stanford University)

Shinya Fujii (Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University; Director, Music Science Research Center)

Takashi Maeno (Dean of the Faculty of Wellbeing, Musashino University)

Takayuki Matsumoto graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology (now Tokyo University of Science) in 1984 and completed his master's degree at the same university in 1986. He has held positions at Canon Inc., as a visiting researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, a professor at Keio University, and a visiting professor at Harvard University. He is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Wellbeing at Musashino University, the Dean of the Graduate School of Wellbeing at Musashino University, and Professor Emeritus at Keio University. He holds a PhD in Engineering. His numerous publications include "The Management of Happy Workplaces" (2019), "The Mechanism of Happiness" (2013), and "Why Did the Brain Create 'Mind'?" (2004). His specialties include happiness studies and innovation education. ( Takayuki Matsumoto , Rinzai Zen Kenchoji School Buddhist monk)

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1972. Graduated from the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science. After graduating from university, he began his training life at the Kencho-ji Temple training center in Kamakura. In 1998, he became the chief priest of Noman-ji Temple. In 2000, he became a part-time lecturer in mathematics at Kanto Gakuin Junior and Senior High School. In 2002, he became a part-time lecturer in mathematics at Hiratsuka Municipal Asahigaoka Junior High School. He also serves as a commissioned member of Kencho-ji Temple. He is a preacher for various branches of the Rinzai sect. Co-authored works include "Connecting Buddhism" (Poplar Publishing) and "Making a Troublesome Mind Relax" (Makino Publishing). He has made numerous media appearances, including "Bucchake-dera" (TV Asahi), "Viking" (Fuji TV), and "We're Arguing About This" (TV Tokyo).

Momoe (Representative of Zen Eating)

Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1991, she learned about the spiritual connection with mountains from her grandfather. She spent her childhood in Egypt, where she was exposed to different cultures. At the age of 13, the sudden death of her father became a turning point in her life, leading her to encounter the Zen teaching "I only know contentment" (吾唯知足る識), which would become a compass for her life from then on.

At Chuo University, she studied Zen and comparative philosophy, and currently, through lectures and Zen Eating experience sessions, she delivers the experience of savoring life to thousands of people in over 30 countries worldwide. She was selected for Forbes NEXT 100. Author of "Zen Eating: A Guide to Meditation Through Eating - A Happy Way of Eating Recognized Worldwide."

Kazuya Yokozawa (Stone flute player)

Having encountered the iwabue (stone flute) at Tenkawa Benzaiten Shrine in Okuyoshino, Nara Prefecture, she was captivated by its sound and resonance. As a performer who creates unique sonic spaces by breathing her breath into the stone flute, shinobue (bamboo flute), bamboo flute, flute, and her voice, she is active both in Japan and internationally.

In addition to solid musical theory and technique learned from Western music, his unique improvisational style, which cherishes his Japanese sensibilities through Shinto training at Tenkawa Benzaiten Shrine and Kagura performances, has been well-received as a resonance of life that transcends ethnicity and religion. He is a performer who musically expresses the stone flute and conveys its charm to the whole world. ( Mikio Shishido , Co-Representative Director, Zen2.0)

Makiko Ishiwata (Murase) (Director, Zen2.0 General Incorporated Association)

■ Event Overview

• Date : November 21st (MCKW final day)

• Time : 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Registration starts at 9:30 AM)

• Venue : Kencho-ji Temple (Reception: Oshinkaku)

  • Location: 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

• Organizer : Zen2.0 Association

• Co-sponsored by / Supported by : Kencho-ji Temple (Head Temple of the Shingon sect) / Mindful City Kamakura Executive Committee

• Capacity : 120 people

Ticket Information (Information on Zen2.0 10th Anniversary Special Tickets)

*Admission fee not included: A 500 yen payment is required at the main gate reception.

• This event-only ticket

  Regular price (until the day of): 12,800 yen

  Early bird price (until the end of October): 9,800 yen

  Regular price (student discount): 7,800 yen

  Lunch ticket (on sale until November 12th): 2,000 yen

  
  

• Zen2.0 10th Anniversary Special Ticket (Kenchoji Temple admission fee not included: A 500 yen payment is required at the main gate reception.)

  Regular price (until the day of): 19,800 yen

  Early bird price (until the end of October): 16,800 yen

  Super early bird price (first 30 people): 14,800 yen

  Student price: 9,800 yen

  
  

  Benefits : You can participate in all eligible Zen2.0-sponsored events, including this opening event, the special event by Master Nanrei Yokota on November 18th (Kamakura Lifelong Learning Center), and the Kenchoji Temple "Zen2.0" event on November 21st.

  Admission fees and lunch boxes are not included.