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Tatsuru Uchida

うちだ たつる

Uchida Tatsuru

Pen Names: levinassien（Social media handle (X/Twitter)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-09-30 （Shimomaruko, Ota, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese, French
Residence History
Tokyo (origin) → Higashinada, Kobe (location of Gaifukan)

Career

Occupations
French literature scholar, martial artist, translator, public intellectual, essayist, university professor
Active Years
1970-
Affiliations
Kobe College (Professor Emeritus), Gaifukan (director)
Influenced By
Emmanuel Levinas, Maurice Blanchot
Influenced
Younger critics and public intellectuals in Japan

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Letters (French literature) / Department of French Literature
Degree: 学士
Period: 1970–1975
Year of Graduation: 1975
Country: Japan
Entered university after passing a university entrance qualification exam following high‑school withdrawal
Tokyo Metropolitan University (graduate school, Humanities)
Graduate School of Humanities (French literature) / French literature
Degree: 修士
Period: 1977–1980
Year of Graduation: 1980
Country: Japan
Completed master's; left doctoral program after earning credits

Awards

Itami Juzo Award
2011
Organization: Itami Juzo Memorial
Result: winner
Shinsho Award (Book-of-the-Year in the 'shinsho' category)
2010
Work: Japan at the Margins
Organization: Shinsho Award committee
Result: winner
Kobayashi Hideo Prize
2006
Work: Private Edition: Essay on Jewish Culture
Organization: Kobayashi Hideo Prize committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Ethics of Hesitation

2001 philosophy / essay

A collection of essays drawn from texts published on his blog and elsewhere, exploring ethics and the philosophy of the Other, including introductions to Levinas and reflections on everyday ethics.

ethicsthe OtherLevinas commentary

Japan at the Margins

2009 social commentary

A book discussing Japan's marginality and communal life; written with an eye toward overseas readers as well.

communitylocalismnational-state theory

Martial Thought

2010 martial arts philosophy

Reflects on the relationship between body and knowledge drawing on his experience in aikido and other martial arts.

bodymartial artspractical knowledge

Bibliography

  • The Ethics of Hesitation
  • Japan at the Margins
  • Martial Thought
  • Contemporary Thought in the Streets
  • The Post-COVID World

Adaptations

  • Film appearances (e.g. Gebaruto no Mori; STEP OUT Niini's Nirai Kanai)

Translations by Author

  • Multiple translations of works by Emmanuel Levinas

Style & Themes

Literary Style
clear, didactic explanatory voiceessayistic and dialogic style
Recurring Motifs
the Other and responsibilityembodimentcommunity and localism

Legacy

A public intellectual known for accessible expositions of contemporary French thought and influential public essays; notable for integrating bodily practices such as martial arts and Noh into his critique.

Archives

  • Tatsuru Uchida's research room (personal blog archive)
  • Gaifukan-related materials

In Popular Culture

  • Appearances on TV, radio and web programs; cultural commentary
  • Film appearances (recent)

Quotes

  • The purpose of writing is not to make a living, but to share one's ideas and feelings with as many people as possible.
    Source: Tatsuru Uchida blog (e.g. posts on his approach to publishing) (2009)

Trivia

  • After leaving high school he passed a university entrance qualification exam and entered the University of Tokyo.
  • Runs a long‑standing blog titled "Tatsuru Uchida's Laboratory."
  • Holds high ranks in aikido, iaido and jodo and directs Gaifukan.