18.45 Talks | The Japanese Aesthetics • Dr. Naoki Qayyim Yamamoto

In January, the guest of our 18.45 Talks series is Dr. Naoki Qayyim Yamamoto. This session will delve into the concept of beauty aesthetics in traditional Japanese culture, exploring the philosophies and cultural elements that define Japanese art and design. A must-attend event for those inspired by cultural heritage and timeless design principles. Dr. Naoki Qayyim Yamamoto will be at İskele on Thursday, January 9th, at 18.45!

 

Dr. Naoki Qayyim Yamamoto is a Japanese academic and cultural ambassador. At 32 years old, Yamamoto embraced Islam 12 years ago and has deepened his spiritual journey over the past four years while living in Istanbul. He currently serves as the Director of the Sakura Center for Japanese Studies at Ibn Haldun University and is a faculty member at the Institute of Turkic Studies at Marmara University. Yamamoto teaches courses on Sufism in the Ottoman era, Islamic history, and Islamic thought in Asian civilizations, combining his academic work with a mission to build a spiritual bridge between Türkiye and Japan. He aims to strengthen this connection through the Japanese tea ceremony (Sado), a cultural tradition he has mastered. After two years of training at the Urasenke Tea Ceremony School, Yamamoto achieved basic-level expertise. He organizes ceremonies emphasizing the aesthetic principles of preparing and serving Japan's famous matcha tea. These rituals aim to offer both Turkish and Japanese participants a cultural and spiritual experience, imparting values such as patience, respect, and harmony with nature. By hosting events in historic venues like the Süleymaniye Salis Madrasa, Yamamoto merges the Ottoman tradition of spiritual education with Japanese culture. For him, the tea ceremony is not merely cultural promotion but also a means of spiritual teaching. He continues to carry out extensive projects to introduce Japanese culture and preserve its traditions in Türkiye, sustaining his role as a bridge between the two cultures.