From Japan to the World: Seiichi Kondo at TEDxKyoto 2013

Japanese culture's deep ties to nature are perhaps best embodied in the Japanese love for Mount Fuji. Cultural Ambassador Seiichi Kondo seeks to share with the world the heart of Japanese philosophy as a way to encourage a restoration of balance between nature and human thought.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@starr99]

Thank you Ambassador Kondo for this enlightening presentation. Poignant argument for respect for nature, cultural empathy, and world peace. Your father would be very proud.

[@mehmetpinarci1456]

Thank you kindly.

[@GaleriaPuntoCiego]

AND A BIG SMILE FOR YOU TOO, MR.KONDO. THANKS. ALL THE BEST FROM SPAIN. NANO.

[@softmelody9544]

Wow

[@klauswessel9023]

Sadly, the entire basis of this talk misses a crucial point: UNESCO denied Mt. Fuji a World Natural Heritage award because it is used so consistently as an illegal dumping ground. I'm sure I don't need to point out the irony of using this as a cornerstone of your argument.
It is in this writer's opinion that a much more interesting discussion would have been one regarding the reasoning and causes behind this contempt of nature, which lies in stark contrast to the older teachings of oneness with nature. I'm sure there are interesting economic, political, and cultural facets that could be explored here.
We are taught to "leave only footprints, and take only pictures," and as anyone who has seen the aftermath of Hanami season will be able to tell you, there is much to be learned from all sides when it comes to respecting nature.

[@Ging_10]

Klaus Wessel The presenter is talking about the traditional authentic view of the Japanese people to Nature...what is happening now has many different complex reasons. But his point is to try to understand and come back to the original prospective of living in peace with nature.

[@jankenDE]

I mean... I am a Japanophile and all but this talk is just plain wrong.
"The Japanese respectful nature places animals as equal partners of humans"
The unique Japanese respect for nature ends at the entrance of a Japanese Zoo (Miyajima and Tokyo are both horrible) or a pet shop. And there are plenty of fairy tales with animals in human roles in the west as well. So saying that Japanese consider animals as equals by quoting some old folk tales is just wrong. It's the same as in the west. And saying that Japanese Gardens are very close to nature is as far from the truth as you can be. They need tons of work and attention to even exist for a week. Thats why they are great art. It is just that the style is different and both styles are very unique and beautiful.
Sorry but this TEDx Talk is not up to standard. There is so much we in the west can learn from Japanese culture, but nothing of the mentioned holds up to inspection.

[@seekingsteve120]

Which Japanese is Mr. Kondo talking about? He obviously hasn't developed his repetoire because I heard the "Japanese garden vs. Western garden" contrast cited as evidence of a supposedly definitive (and unique!) cultural worldview twenty years ago. It wasn't true then, and it isn't true now. He apparently believes that he doesn't need new material because regurgitating the same sweeping, dubious generalizations over and over again ad nauseum for years will somehow make them true.