On Good Death Day (April 14), a "Death-katsu" Festival to Re-examine Life by Contemplating "Death" to be Held at Temples and Shrines in Kamakura
Eishi Yoshida, a certified tear therapist, will host a unique festival called "Death-katsu" in Kamakura on April 14, 2026. This event encourages participants to casually discuss "death" while enjoying snacks, aiming to help them re-examine their lives.
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Eishi Yoshida, a certified tear therapist widely known as "Teacher Namida," who conducts "Rui-katsu" (tear therapy) lectures for corporations, local governments, educational institutions, medical institutions, and welfare facilities, will host the "Death-katsu" festival on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This event will be simultaneously held at multiple temples and shrines in Kamakura, where participants can casually discuss "death" while enjoying snacks and coffee, fostering conversations about their views on life and death. "Death" is inevitable for everyone. By consciously thinking about it rather than treating it as a taboo, individuals can foster gratitude for the present moment and a desire to live life to the fullest. Sharing one's thoughts and encountering others' perspectives can lead to new values and insights into how to live.
▼ "Death-katsu" Official Website: https://www.deathkatsu.com/
## Overview of the "Death-katsu" Festival
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Temples and shrines in Kamakura
## Believing that a forum for discussing "death" is necessary for a better life, "Death-katsu" is promoted in various regions
Eishi Yoshida, the organizer of "Death-katsu" and a certified public psychologist, has been involved in creating dialogue spaces in public institutions such as communities and schools. He also founded the qualification of "tear therapist" himself and advocates "Rui-katsu," which involves intentionally shedding tears to detox the mind. Through events and lectures held nationwide, he has provided opportunities for nearly 80,000 participants to relieve stress through tears.
"Rui-katsu" events include time for participants to share their insights and impressions. Some even share their grief and sense of loss after losing loved ones. In many cases, even if they start with a somber expression, by the time they finish speaking, their expressions have often become somewhat clear and calm. Witnessing these scenes repeatedly, Yoshida strongly felt that "people are seeking a safe space to talk about death."
Born from this realization, "Death-katsu" is an activity where people lightly and casually discuss their values regarding death and life. To create a relaxed atmosphere, venues often include cafes and snack bars where participants can gather around tea, coffee, and sweets. "Death" is something no one can avoid. Therefore, facing it rather than hiding or avoiding it helps enrich the present moment. The aim is also to find hints for new ways of living by sharing one's thoughts and learning from others' perspectives.
Unlike "Shu-katsu" (end-of-life planning), which primarily focuses on practical post-death procedures for the elderly, "Death-katsu," which involves contemplating internal questions, is characterized by its spread among young people in their 20s and 30s. Each event begins by presenting one theme related to death to broaden the discussion, and participants speak based on that theme. Here are some examples of themes:
- The unforgettable death of a close person
- What words do you want to leave for whom before you die?
- Whose life would you exchange for your own?
- What is the last thing you want to eat before you die?
- Until now, death
Eishi Yoshida, a certified tear therapist widely known as "Teacher Namida," who conducts "Rui-katsu" (tear therapy) lectures for corporations, local governments, educational institutions, medical institutions, and welfare facilities, will host the "Death-katsu" festival on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This event will be simultaneously held at multiple temples and shrines in Kamakura, where participants can casually discuss "death" while enjoying snacks and coffee, fostering conversations about their views on life and death. "Death" is inevitable for everyone. By consciously thinking about it rather than treating it as a taboo, individuals can foster gratitude for the present moment and a desire to live life to the fullest. Sharing one's thoughts and encountering others' perspectives can lead to new values and insights into how to live.
▼ "Death-katsu" Official Website: https://www.deathkatsu.com/
## Overview of the "Death-katsu" Festival
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Temples and shrines in Kamakura
## Believing that a forum for discussing "death" is necessary for a better life, "Death-katsu" is promoted in various regions
Eishi Yoshida, the organizer of "Death-katsu" and a certified public psychologist, has been involved in creating dialogue spaces in public institutions such as communities and schools. He also founded the qualification of "tear therapist" himself and advocates "Rui-katsu," which involves intentionally shedding tears to detox the mind. Through events and lectures held nationwide, he has provided opportunities for nearly 80,000 participants to relieve stress through tears.
"Rui-katsu" events include time for participants to share their insights and impressions. Some even share their grief and sense of loss after losing loved ones. In many cases, even if they start with a somber expression, by the time they finish speaking, their expressions have often become somewhat clear and calm. Witnessing these scenes repeatedly, Yoshida strongly felt that "people are seeking a safe space to talk about death."
Born from this realization, "Death-katsu" is an activity where people lightly and casually discuss their values regarding death and life. To create a relaxed atmosphere, venues often include cafes and snack bars where participants can gather around tea, coffee, and sweets. "Death" is something no one can avoid. Therefore, facing it rather than hiding or avoiding it helps enrich the present moment. The aim is also to find hints for new ways of living by sharing one's thoughts and learning from others' perspectives.
Unlike "Shu-katsu" (end-of-life planning), which primarily focuses on practical post-death procedures for the elderly, "Death-katsu," which involves contemplating internal questions, is characterized by its spread among young people in their 20s and 30s. Each event begins by presenting one theme related to death to broaden the discussion, and participants speak based on that theme. Here are some examples of themes:
- The unforgettable death of a close person
- What words do you want to leave for whom before you die?
- Whose life would you exchange for your own?
- What is the last thing you want to eat before you die?
- Until now, death