Unmasking Kodo: The Makeup Artist Who’s Also a Buddhist Monk
Imagine a glam‑guru strutting into a Tokyo studio on stilettos that could double as hazard lights, all while sporting smoky eyes and a swooping winged eyeliner. That’s Kodo Nishimura, 29, rocking the “diva” look like a pro.
Double Life, Single Identity
When he’s in the studio, he’s a superstar makeup virtuoso, giving pageant queens and pop stars a flawless finish. Hit the Tokyo temple, though? Kodo swaps the glitter for plain monk robes and a bare face. “I’m not pretending to be someone else,” he says, voice firm and unapologetic.
From “Clown” to “Celeb”
Back in Japan, Kodo hid his budding passion in the bathroom, daring to experiment with his mom’s Chanel eye‑shadow. When he stumbled out more like a clown than a queen, he laughed everything off. He trapped his curiosity in America.
- 18: First bought mascara & liner.
- Internship with a seasoned makeup artist → paid gig.
- Parents, baffled but supportive, cheers from home.
The Temptation of the Toga
He grew up thriving around a temple’s gilded altar, yet he realized he wasn’t destined to follow his dad’s path. At 24, he enrolled in a Sacred Sect training program, spanning two years with five intensive sessions.
“When the doors shut, the trainers started screaming,” he recalls. “I was like, ‘What the heck? I signed up for a meditation class?!”
Mixed Signals and Inner Freedom
During breaks, Kodo slipped back to the U.S., where he was notorious for his makeup glam, jewelry, and openly gay pride. He worried, “Would this offend the monks? Would it tarnish their image?”
A senior monk brushed his concerns aside: “Japanese monks often wear non‑religious clothes outside the temple and have side gigs. You’re already a monk; your love for makeup isn’t a betrayal.”
That conversation felt like a liberation. Kodo finally determined: “Now I can be myself AND be a monk.”
One Man, Two Worlds
He flips between Tokyo’s temple rituals and the glittery studio. He returns to Japan twice a year, assisting with funerals and temple ceremonies. Yet, inheriting the temple’s leadership feels like a detour he’s not keen to take.
“Being a monk isn’t the golden ticket for helping people,” he says. “Makeup and heels are the bridge that lets me spread joy.”
LGBT Ally Behind Lashes
Kodo is also a champion for LGBT rights. He teaches makeup wizardry to transgender women, empowering them to showcase the beauty inherent in their features.
Mio Aoki, a 27‑year‑old trans woman, praises Kodo: “He helps you accentuate the traits you already have and encourages us to embrace our authentic selves.” She added, “Most makeup artists teach tricks, but there’s no one like Kodo.”
Conclusion
From dazzling stage lights to the quiet hum of temple bells, Kodo Nishimura exemplifies that you can hold two worlds in the same heart. Mixing eyeliner with enlightenment, he shows that inner balance isn’t about shedding the outer—it’s about merging both into one harmonious glow.
