TEDx Talks - 未来を切り開くために：19歳が継ぐ日本の伝統 | 志基 天海 | TEDxICU
The speaker begins by recounting an impactful experience with a Vietnamese individual who played soccer barefoot due to lack of resources, which inspired the speaker to create a space for cultural exchange between locals and foreigners. This led to the formation of a student group, Noboundariesbetweenus, aimed at fostering multicultural interactions through soccer events. These events grew significantly, attracting participants from over ten countries and receiving media attention.
The speaker later realized the importance of understanding and sharing one's own culture, not just learning about others. This insight prompted a shift towards promoting Japanese traditional crafts, which are facing decline. By leveraging modern perspectives and social media, the speaker successfully expanded the reach of these crafts internationally, collaborating with artists and participating in global exhibitions. The speaker emphasizes that true multicultural coexistence arises from mutual cultural exchange and understanding, advocating for the preservation and adaptation of traditional crafts to maintain their relevance and appeal.
Key Points:
- Cultural exchange is vital for mutual understanding and coexistence.
- Organizing soccer events helped bridge cultural gaps and foster community.
- Japanese traditional crafts are declining and need modern promotion.
- Social media and global collaborations can revitalize traditional crafts.
- Understanding and sharing one's own culture is as important as learning about others.
Details:
1. 🏞️ Soccer by the River: A Unique Encounter
- The segment begins with a captivating question about playing soccer naked, engaging the audience immediately.
- A small group of 5 to 6 individuals from the audience confirmed having this unusual experience, highlighting a rare and intriguing activity.
- The audience reactions ranged from surprise to amusement, indicating the unexpected nature of the question and the responses.
- This segment offers insights into unconventional social activities and how shared experiences can vary widely among individuals.
2. 👟 A Lesson in Resilience and Passion
- A Vietnamese individual was seen watching a group of middle school students playing soccer, indicating a potential interest in the sport. This observer was around 17 to 18 years old, similar in age to the players, which might explain the interest.
- The interaction began when one of the players noticed the observer and chose to engage, demonstrating openness and inclusivity. This moment highlights the importance of communication and community in sports.
- The observer's interest and subsequent interaction with the players could be seen as a reflection of resilience and passion, as they took a step towards engaging with something they were interested in despite initial hesitation.
3. 🙌 Bridging Cultures Through Sports
- An invitation to play soccer was met with enthusiasm, illustrating the universal appeal of sports across different cultures.
- A participant played barefoot due to worn-out shoes, highlighting the economic challenges faced by some individuals, yet his participation underscores the inclusivity of sports.
- The individual's background as a technical intern affected by COVID-19 illustrates the broader impact of the pandemic on employment, and how sports can offer a reprieve.
- The participant's bright smile despite challenges exemplifies resilience and the positive emotional impact of sports, reflecting broader themes of hope and joy.
- Soccer serves as a cultural bridge, facilitating interaction and understanding between people of different backgrounds, and promoting cultural exchange.
4. 🌍 From Local Initiative to Global Perspective
- A high school student initiated a design studio that successfully promoted Japanese traditional crafts on an international scale, such as contemporary calligraphy and Jomon-era figurines. This demonstrates a strategic shift from local focus to global outreach.
- The creation of 'Noboundariesbetweenus,' a student organization, underscores the importance of fostering cross-cultural interactions. This was inspired by a personal encounter with a Vietnamese individual, highlighting a practical approach to building international relationships.
- Transitioning from organizing local soccer events in high school to promoting traditional crafts globally illustrates the strategic use of local community engagement as a foundation for international cultural promotion. This involved leveraging local expertise and cultural heritage to appeal to a global audience.
5. 🤝 Building a Community Without Boundaries
- The shift towards being a company that delivers culture overseas is driven by an interest in multicultural coexistence, a significant societal issue in Japan.
- Research revealed that foreign communities in Japan are often isolated despite a desire for interaction. This isolation is something the initiative aims to overcome by creating inclusive spaces.
- Inspired by the local Brazilian community in Gunma Prefecture, the initiative focuses on cultural exchange as a bridge to foster understanding and integration.
- Practical steps taken include organizing soccer events to foster interaction between Japanese and Brazilian communities, providing a space for shared cultural experiences and dialogue.
- The impact of these initiatives is significant, as they not only promote cultural understanding but also contribute to reducing social isolation and enhancing community cohesion.
6. ⚽ The Growth of a Cultural Exchange Event
6.1. Event Growth and Expansion
6.2. Cultural Impact and International Engagement
7. 🔍 Realizing the Importance of Cultural Understanding
- The primary goal of foreigner-hosting events is to foster multicultural understanding, but there was a realization of a shift towards merely hosting rather than understanding, causing discomfort.
- A pivotal moment occurred during a soccer event when a child remarked that despite being Japanese, there was a lack of knowledge about Japan itself, highlighting a gap in cultural awareness.
- This experience emphasized that true multicultural integration involves not just knowing others' cultures but also having a deep understanding of one's own culture.
- The incident underscores the importance of introspection and self-awareness in cultural exchanges, prompting a reevaluation of how such events can better serve their purpose.
- Organizers are encouraged to incorporate activities that not only showcase foreign cultures but also deepen attendees' understanding of their own cultural heritage.
8. 📊 The Decline of Traditional Crafts
- Cultural understanding is essential for initiating dialogue; learning about one's own culture is as important as understanding foreign cultures.
- Mutual understanding in multicultural interactions requires both parties to learn about each other's cultures.
- The speaker decided to relearn Japanese culture and discovered a significant issue: the rapid decline of traditional crafts.
- Economically, Japanese traditional crafts' production scale was 2784 billion yen in 1998, shrinking to 100 billion yen by 2016.
- This decline highlights the urgency of preserving traditional crafts and integrating cultural education to foster appreciation and support.
9. 🎨 Reviving Traditional Arts Through Modern Platforms
- In 2022, the traditional arts sector faced significant challenges, with the average income at only 870 yen, indicating a severe issue of successor shortages and declining demand.
- Through a connection with Takeda Tsuneyasu, a well-known figure on YouTube and TV, the speaker participated in the Tokyo Big Sight Ending Industry Expo, which focuses on the funeral industry.
- The Expo highlighted a lack of young people in the sector, leading to a proposal for the speaker to become a temple's successor, revealing a deep-rooted problem: traditional arts are perceived as outdated and lack appeal.
- The speaker identified a 'negative cycle' of declining engagement in traditional crafts, resulting in fewer artisans and a loss of cultural heritage.
- In response, the speaker began using social media to share traditional Japanese arts like clay figures and calligraphy globally, receiving unexpected interest both domestically and internationally, thus breaking the cycle.
10. 🖌️ Collaborative Efforts in Contemporary Calligraphy
- The calligraphy work's expansion into international markets, such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Dubai, has been driven by significant attention on social media.
- A specific piece titled 'the Universe' exemplifies the broad appeal and impact of this contemporary calligraphy.
- Artist Toto integrates traditional culture with a modern perspective, resulting in recognition by prestigious venues like the Van Gogh art gallery.
- Upcoming workshops in New York are set to explore the fusion of Japanese calligraphy with various global cultures, fostering innovative interactions.
- A forthcoming collaboration with a Milan fashion designer will see the launch of a calligraphy-inspired clothing line, demonstrating the art's influence in fashion.
11. 🔄 Innovating Tradition for the Future
- According to a report by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the percentage of people in their teens to 30s who feel that Japanese traditional crafts have value is notably low.
- Merely discounting traditional crafts does not guarantee increased sales; instead, the focus should be on effectively communicating their appeal and expanding demand.
- The approach to preserving culture should not be limited to simple conservation but should involve using modern perspectives to harness and harmonize it with the world, creating new value.
- Multicultural coexistence emerges from dialogue and sharing, and it starts with understanding and proudly communicating one's own culture.
- Traditional culture shines through change, gaining strength to connect with future generations and harmonize with other cultures.
- There is a desire to expand the new possibilities of Japanese traditional culture globally.
12. 🗣️ The Power of Cultural Transmission
- Cultural transmission is essential for a culture to remain alive and impactful.
- Sharing culture does not just preserve it but also strengthens and enforces it.
- The speaker initially thought that imposing multiculturalism could solve societal problems.
- The realization was that transcending boundaries and continuing traditions and innovations is crucial.
- The speaker believes that the future lies in maintaining and transmitting cultural traditions beyond established boundaries.
- For example, the use of cultural festivals and education to bridge gaps and foster understanding can illustrate the practical application of cultural transmission.