Kamogawa Talk Vol. 5

Kamogawa Talk is a series of talks jointly organized by Goethe-Institut Osaka Kyoto/Villa Kamogawa and Kyoto University Office of Research Acceleration (KURA) to promote Japanese-German exchange among the younger generation and dialogue between academia, art and culture. Based on the concept of “Art meets academia”, the series aims to provide an opportunity for open exchange among researchers, students, creators, as well as a wide range of interested parties in a relaxed atmosphere.

For self-expression and vibrant communication

“Mindfulness” refers to the practice of paying attention to and anchoring the mind in the present moment. In recent years, it has gained global attention across fields such as healthcare, business, and education, as a method for reducing stress and enhancing creativity. Rooted in Buddhist meditation, this approach encourages individuals to focus on the here and now, free from distractions of the past or future, fostering deeper self-awareness and reflection.

In this talk, we welcome the guest speakers: Caroline Redl, who has worked as an actor in the European film and television industry and has over 20 years of international experience as an educator and certified coach; and Marc-Henri Deroche (Kyoto University), a specialist in mindfulness in Buddhist philosophy of mind and meditation. Centered around the concept of “mindfulness,” the discussion will explore how to shape self-expression and foster connection with others. The session will be moderated by Junro Shibata, a researcher specializing in the sociology of art (Ritsumeikan University).

Why is it important not to rely solely on scientific facts and results and to consider elements such as personality, inner world, gestures or sound of voice — in social life and academic contexts? How can you learn to understand and express yourself without pretending to be someone else? How might this perspective influence the way we relate to others and engage in communication within society? We warmly welcome your experiences and ideas as participants.

Speakers

• Caroline Redl

With a professional background in acting and performing arts and experience of four decades in the film and television industry, she works as an educator, certified coach, and mentor, bridging education, arts, and the corporate world, over 20 years with people from more than 37 nations. In her teaching, she applies a holistic approach that integrates performance techniques, movement, and methods for personal and professional development, to support students, young professionals, artists, and scientists in unlocking their full potential by fostering creativity and collaboration. Sie co-founded a Aikido dojo in 2016, where she teaches in Berlin (3rd Dan/Aikikai Tokyo).

• Marc-Henri Deroche

Marc-Henri Deroche, Ph.D., is Associate Professor at Kyoto University (Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability), where he teaches Buddhist philosophy and supervises the Mindful Living Research Group, a transdisciplinary graduate seminar. Born in France, he holds a master’s degree and PhD in East Asian Studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (Paris). He is also a Certified Teacher in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Life (MBCT-L) with Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. His work focuses on Buddhist theories of mind and meditation, with the ultimate aim to articulate an ethics of attention and a philosophy of mindfulness for our times. He is the author and editor of six books, and his research articles have appeared in journals such as Asian Philosophy, Philosophy East and West, Journal of Buddhist Ethics, Mindfulness, etc. He has lived in Kyoto since 2008 and has travelled extensively in Asia, and especially in the Tibetan and Himalayan cultural world.

Moderator

• Junro Shibata

Researcher in the sociology of art, currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences, Ritsumeikan University. His research focuses on the creative processes and discourses of value within Kyoto’s small-scale theater scene. In recent years, she has been actively involved with the performing arts collective “Sononochi” as an archive coordinator, conducting long-term fieldwork. His notable publications include the 2024 paper, “Collective Models Expressed and Practiced in Performing Arts.” He is a recipient of the Torii Fellowship from the Suntory Foundation for the Humanities.

Registration *Registration deadline：Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 17:00

Advance registration is required. Please register via the form <here>.

Contact

International Collaboration, Kyoto University Office of Research Acceleration (KURA)
E-Mail：kura-int＊mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Please replace * with @ when entering the email address.)