Yasushi TONAGA

Yasushi TONAGA is a part-time Professor at Kyoto University's Institute of Asian and African Field Studies. He concurrently serves as Director of the Kenan Rifâî Centre for Sufi Studies and the Centre for Islamic Studies at Kyoto University. He is also President of the Japan Association for Middle Eastern Studies. His expertise focuses on Sufism, particularly the works of Ibn ‘Arabī and the Akbarian school.

Education:

• Bachelor's/Master's: University of Tokyo
• Doctorate: Kyoto University

Research Interests: Professor TONAGA investigates mystical dimensions of Islamic thought, focusing on 13th-century philosopher Ibn ‘Arabī and his followers. His work bridges theological, philosophical, and historical perspectives, contributing to broader discussions in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.

Affiliations:

• President, Japan Association for Middle Eastern Studies
• Director, Kenan Rifâî Centre for Sufi Studies
• Director, Centre for Islamic Studies (Kyoto University)

Labs/Teams: Leads research initiatives at the Kenan Rifâî Centre and Islamic Studies Centre, fostering interdisciplinary studies on Sufism and Islamic intellectual history.