It has already been two months since Prof. Shinya Tateiwa unexpectedly passed away on July 31st. Prof. Tateiwa was a founding member of our Institute of Ars Vivendi in 2007 and had always been highly active within our Institute. He served as the inaugural director and, after a brief hiatus, resumed his role as director until March of this year. Describing his contributions to our Institute is an impossible task.
However, Prof. Tateiwa's influence extended far beyond our Institute. He was an exceptional thinker. Prof. Masahiko Kishi of Kyoto University referred to him as "the greatest genius that post-war sociology in Japan has produced." Prof. Tateiwa was also a dedicated activist and a devoted teacher.
Prof. Tatsuya Mima, the Dean of the Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences at Ritsumeikan University, to which Prof. Tateiwa belonged, expressed, "Prof. Tateiwa, as a pioneer in the contemporary exploration of disability, illness, and physical challenges, was irreplaceable, not only in terms of research but also in his social contributions. He was passionate about educating his postgraduate students, and even during his hospitalization, he continued to contemplate the future direction of the research and how he would guide his postgraduate students." Prof. Mima also serves as the vice-director of our Institute.
Our director, Prof. Izumi Otani, stated, "In March of this year, Prof. Shinya Tateiwa was hospitalized for malignant lymphoma, and even during his recovery, he made significant efforts to teach graduate students and alumni and to publish a book series, utilizing email and Zoom. We deeply mourn his passing and find it challenging to express our feelings. The Institute, with profound sadness, will continue to honor the legacy of the late Prof. Shinya Tateiwa. We are committed to carrying on the mission of 'Ars Vivendi.'"
A memorial gathering for Prof. Tateiwa is scheduled for January 27, 2024, in Kyoto. Prof. Mima and Prof. Otani are among the organizers of this event. For updates, please visit
http://www.arsvi.com/ts/0.htm
We are doing our utmost to fill the enormous void created by Prof. Tateiwa's untimely departure and continue to rely on your support.
Prof. Tateiwa, thank you immensely for your outstanding contributions. May you now rest in peace.