世界観を知ると人は変わる | Anne Crescini | TEDxFukuoka

Summary

In this inspiring presentation, the speaker shares her transformative journey of living in Japan and overcoming cultural and personal barriers. Initially resistant to learning Japanese, she eventually embraces both the language and culture, discovering deeper insights into Japanese values. Through her friendship with Makiko, a Buddhist from Kyoto, she gains a new perspective on worldviews and starts to appreciate the importance of understanding beyond language and surface-level culture. Her life-changing realization leads her to overcome an eating disorder and deepen relationships, emphasizing the significance of understanding and valuing others' worldviews for personal growth and connection.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker initially knew little about Japan and had no desire to learn the language or culture, but a life-changing experience led to a deep commitment to study both.
• 😀 The speaker's first interaction with Japanese neighbors highlighted the importance of understanding the language and culture, particularly the significance of proper greetings and etiquette.
• 😀 The speaker became more deeply involved in Japanese culture by learning the language, raising children in Japan, and writing books about the country.
• 😀 Despite her knowledge, the speaker realized that understanding Japanese culture was incomplete without understanding the deeper worldview behind cultural practices.
• 😀 Worldview is described as the invisible foundation of culture, shaping how people see the world and explaining cultural customs, such as sleeping with children in Japan.
• 😀 The speaker's perspective shifted after meeting her best friend, Makiko, a Buddhist from Kyoto, who studied Christianity out of respect and love for her, showing the importance of humility in cross-cultural understanding.
• 😀 Cooking with Makiko helped the speaker understand Japanese food culture and highlighted the importance of valuing food, which led to the realization of the broader Japanese worldview around food.
• 😀 The Japanese expression 'itadakimasu' is not just a phrase for eating; it signifies gratitude for the lives of animals and plants, as well as the people involved in the food's production.
• 😀 Through a deeper understanding of Japanese food culture, the speaker’s relationship with food changed, overcoming food aversions and even an eating disorder she struggled with for 25 years.
• 😀 The speaker urges others to go beyond learning language and culture by seeking to understand the underlying worldview, as this can lead to a richer and more fulfilling life.
• 😀 The speaker challenges people to reflect on their relationships and make efforts to understand others' perspectives, whether at work, home, or in their personal lives, as a path to growth and mutual understanding.

Q & A

Why did the speaker initially resist learning Japanese?

The speaker initially resisted learning Japanese because they believed they could get by without it, thinking that living in Japan would be enough to learn the language naturally.

What moment made the speaker realize the importance of learning Japanese?

The speaker realized the importance of learning Japanese when they tried to introduce themselves to their neighbor with a gift of dish soap and were unable to answer a simple question about their identity, leading them to understand that they needed to study the language.

How did the speaker’s perception of their expertise in Japanese culture change over time?

Initially, the speaker thought they were an expert in Japanese culture due to their language skills and experience. However, after meeting their best friend, Makiko, and experiencing cultural clashes, the speaker realized that there was much more to understand, especially regarding worldview.

How did the speaker’s friendship with Makiko impact their understanding of culture?

The friendship with Makiko, who studied Christianity to understand the speaker's beliefs, made the speaker realize they were not making the same effort to understand Makiko's cultural values, prompting them to seek a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

What cultural concept did the speaker learn from cooking with Makiko?

Through cooking with Makiko, the speaker learned the deeper meaning behind Japanese food culture, understanding that food holds significant cultural value beyond just nourishment, and that the appreciation for food is rooted in the Japanese worldview.

What is the difference between culture and worldview, according to the speaker?

The speaker explains that culture is the visible aspects of a society, like traditions and behaviors, while worldview is the underlying foundation that shapes those cultural practices. Worldview is the deeper ‘why’ behind cultural actions, and understanding it is essential to fully grasp culture.

What does the word ‘itadakimasu’ really mean, according to the speaker?

The speaker explains that 'itadakimasu' is not just 'Let’s eat' but is a way of acknowledging and giving thanks for the lives of animals and plants that were sacrificed for the meal, as well as showing gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the food to the table.

How did the speaker’s view of food change after understanding Japanese worldview?

The speaker’s view of food changed significantly after understanding the Japanese worldview. They began to value food more, stop wasting it, and started eating foods they had previously disliked, even learning how to cook and preparing complex dishes like New Year’s food.

What personal challenge did the speaker overcome, and how was it related to their cultural understanding?

The speaker overcame a 25-year-long struggle with an eating disorder. This personal growth was linked to a shift in their perspective on food and the adoption of a more reflective, gratitude-based approach toward eating, influenced by the understanding of Japanese culture and worldview.

What advice does the speaker offer to those studying a foreign language or culture?

The speaker advises that one should not be content with just learning the language and culture but should seek to understand the deeper worldview behind them. This deeper understanding will lead to a more fulfilling life and help foster better relationships with people from different backgrounds.