Journal
We are pleased to invite you to a special event celebrating the publication of a new book by Clélia Zernik, a French scholar of philosophy of art with deep expertise in Japanese cinema.
Her latest work is a collection of essays inspired by the landscapes, encounters, and experiences she has gathered during her visits to Japan.
To share a taste of Japan along with this literary occasion, we will be serving onigiri (rice balls) and highballs.
We would be delighted if you could stop by and join us for a pleasant and relaxed evening.
共鳴する精神 L’ Esprit en Résonance
Vernissage littéraire avec Clélia Zernik autour de son nouveau livre Je ne suis pas un Yakuza
[Date & Time] Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
[Location] KIMONO ARCH / Y. & SONS in Paris
25 rue du Bourg Tibourg 75004 Paris
[Admission] Free
[Open to] Everyone is welcome to attend
About the Author and the New Book
Clélia Zernik holds a PhD in philosophy from the École Normale Supérieure and has obtained the agrégation in aesthetics and philosophy. She teaches philosophy of art at the Beaux Arts de Paris and at the École Normale Supérieure, with research focusing primarily on Japanese cinema and contemporary art. Her publications include L’œil et l’objectif (2012), Akira Kurosawa, les Sept samouraïs (2013), L’attrait des fantômes (2019), and Le Japon en 2.5D (to be published in 2026). She has conducted research stays at Waseda University, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of the Arts, and the Nichibunken in Kyoto, spending over seven years in Japan.
The new bookJE NE SUIS PAS UN YAKUZA (I’m Not a Yakuza) （Éditions Conférence）is a 111-page collection of 31 short essays. It is inspired by the author’s experiences, encounters, and impressions during her stays in Japan.
The essays vividly depict scenes from bars in Tokyo’s Minato and Shibuya districts, reflections on Kyoto’s Rokudō-chinno-ji Temple, and references to literary figures such as Nobel laureate Kenzaburō Ōe and Yukio Mishima, making the work both rich and captivating.
About the Onigiri
IWATAYA, Onigiri Nomad offers handmade onigiris at pop-up stores or upon request. Using carefully selected fresh ingredients, each rice ball is prepared with attention and care to bring a taste of Japan to Parisians. Perfect for events, business lunches, or special moments to share, IWATAYA aims to provide delicious and memorable Japanese flavors for any occasion.
About the Highball Drinks
KANOSUKE Distillery is a family-run, artisanal distillery now led by Yoshitsugu Komasa, the fourth generation. Located on the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, it was founded in 1883 and has produced traditional alcohol, mainly shochu, ever since. In 1957, the second-generation Kanosuke Komasa created the first barrel-aged shochu. Using over 140 years of perfected techniques—low-pressure distillation, steamed barley, and aged shochu barrels—KANOSUKE produces a unique flavor and is recognized as a pioneer of Japan’s craft whisky movement.
