Chapter 1. Japan and Ukraine today
- Part 1-1. Nation and culture
- Part 1-2. Sea country in the center two continents
- Part 1-3. Literature and the world
Chapter 2. New Ukraine’s Dream
- Part 2-1. Society and Religion in Japan and Ukraine
- Part 2-2. Peace as the common aspiration of Japan and Ukraine
Dialogue
Dialogue — is a situation where the interlocutors search for the ways of understanding. Daisaku Ikeda, a famous Buddhist thinker, writer and pedagogue and Mikhael Zgurosky, the rector of the National Technical University of Ukraine (NTUU), analyze relevant for Japan and Ukraine social, political, public and state processes from different aspects and horizons in order to come to understanding of prospects of their peoples’ development in the current XXI century.
The prolific coauthorship of representatives of different countries happens rarely. Probably globalization should be understood not only as the planet diffusion of material objects and pieces of art but also as the conquest of world space with new knowledge produced by intellectual elite.
D. Ikeda met and talked with many eminent contemporary thinkers: A. Toynbee, A. Peccei, Ch. Aitmatov, L. Pauling, M. Gorbachev, V. Sadovnichy. Due to such meetings have appeared the dialogues. Currently, Daisaku Ikeda pays his attention to Ukraine.
In people’s mind Japan, an Asian pearl, is inseparable from its ancient history of national identity, isolation and traditional monarchy, whereas Ukraine, a European country, can’t be imagined without its challenging and prolonged state formation,
D. Ikeda and M. Zgurovsky have different academic background, age, professional activities and esthetic tastes. However, they are united despite different national origins by common human values. D. Ikeda’s bright talent of a humanist-thinker complements scientific thoroughness of systemic mathematician Michael Zgurovsky.
Coauthors’ experience in education (D. Ikeda is a founder of schools and universities while M. Zgurovsky is a former minister of education and a university rector) permits to look into the future through common
Japan and Ukraine have different destinies, histories and traditions. At the same time they have much in common: their people are talented, industrious and love freedom, they can work hard, overcome obstacles on their way and are able appreciate peaceful prospects of further humanity development.
The authors discuss what positive experience Ukraine can learn from its new history. In their opinion, this experience lies in the power of human spirit, dedication and sacrifice in the name of national interests and ideals.
A genre of social and political essay requires an active position regarding acute recent problems as well as the emotional, even passionate, involvement from authors. Authors discuss complicated things in a transparent way, dangerous things optimistically and threatening things with a hope for people’s wisdom and kindness.
Nowadays, the world is on the threshold of new human breakthroughs and outstanding achievements. D. Ikeda and M. Zgurovsky unobtrusively help a reader understand the main mission of a human-creator, his/her role in the judicious usage of natural resources. As for the authors, such qualities as power of human mind, tolerance and spirituality, spread among people, will dominate in the ХХI century.
While D. Ikeda’s and M. Zgurovsky’s book is only due to be released, we offer its magazine edition to a reader hoping that young audience will find it fascinating and useful.
Vladimir Mostovoi
Daisaku Ikeda
Daisaku Ikeda is a well-known Buddhist philosopher, writer, poet and a pedagogue. He was born on January, 2, 1928 in Tokyo. Avid to reading, he early began to write verses and became interested in art, music, philosophy and photography.
During the Second World War four of Ikeda’s brothers were called up for military service, the eldest one was killed during the combat. Sorrows and suffering of
Later, during the
Daisaku Ikeda founded the University of Soka, American University of Soka, Women College of Soka, Soka schools and kindergartens, two art museums, the Institute of Oriental Science, the
In December, 1981 World Poets Society named D. Ikeda a laureate, and in August, 1983 he was honored the United Nations Peace Award. He had received 250 honored doctorates from different universities and scientific institutes world-wide, including the Lomonosov State University, the Saint Petersburg State University, and Kiev Polytechnic Institute.
The works of D.Ikeda reflect a wide range of interests in poetry, scientific works, research of politics and civilization. They are translated into more than 30 languages. Among such there are a novel «The Human Revolution»; a dialogue «Choose Life» with an English historian Arnold Toynbee; a dialogue «Before It Is Too Late» with Aurelio Peccei; a dialogue «In the fight for peace» with Linus Pauling; a dialogue «Moral lessons of the XXth century» with Mikhail Gorbachev; a dialogue «Beyond the Century: Dialogue on Education and Society» with Victor Sadovnichy; books «Life: an Enigma, and Precious Jewel», «my Buddha» and many others.
Among various activities of Daisaku we would like to mention his passion to photography. He is an honored member of numerous prestigious art clubs, associations and societies. The nature beauties of 50 countries and, certainly, of his motherlands have not escaped his camera. He organized the photo exhibitions in Kyiv twice, which attracted a vivid interest of the Ukrainians.
He firmly believes, that the communication between people and the dialogue encourage overcoming cultural and philosophical differences, nurturing mutual confidence and understanding, which are indispensable for peace on the planet.
Mikhail Zakharovich Zgurovsky
Mikhail Zakharovich Zgurovsky, (was born in 1950), a rector of the National Technical University of Ukraine «Kiev Polytechnic Institute», a director of the Institute for Applied System Analysis of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. He is an academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
M.Zgurovsky is known in the scientific world in area of cybernetics and system analysis and their application in geoinformatics, mathematical geophysics, social and economic issues of modern society.
He assisted in creating the World Data Center for «Geoinformatics and Sustainable Development» in Ukraine. The Center specializes in geoinformatics in scope of global modeling of processes for sustainable development and evaluation of global threats for human safety and quality of life.
M.Zgurovsky is a member of many Ukrainian and foreign scientific societies: a national member of Earth Data Network for Education and Science (EDNES, Strasbourg, France), a Ukrainian national representative for International Council for Science (ICSU, Paris, France), a member of the CODATA Executive Board (Paris, France), a member of the Governing Board of UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (Moscow, Russia), a president of Black Sea University Network (BSUN, Konstanta Romania), and a president of the Central East European Institute for Sustainable Development.
M.Zgurovsky is the honored scholar of science and technology, he was triply named a laureate of state prize in area of science and technology (in 1990, in 1999, in 2005), a laureate of the prize of the Academy of Sciences named after Victor Glushkov (1994) and Vladimir Mikhalevich (1998). For achievements in science, education and international cooperation Zgurovsky was rewarded in Italy, Estonia. He is an author and coauthor of over 300 scientific works, including 28 monographs and textbooks, published in Germany, Poland, Japan, and other countries. He is also an
Chapter 1. Japan and Ukraine today
- Part 1.
- Nation and culture
- Part 2.
- Sea country in the center two continents
Sakura and kalina (viburnum)
Mikhail Zgurovsky. A Japanese sakura and a Ukrainian kalina (viburnum) are national symbols of our countries. Does this symbol admiration tell about the closeness of moral compass, mental outlook of Ukrainian and Japanese peoples?
Daisaku Ikeda. The spring landscapes of mountains and plains of Japan are decorated with magnificent flowering of a sakura, dressed in a pink gown. Its petals fall off very quickly after the moment of its amazing blossom. A particular love to passing beauty of sakura arouses in souls of Japanese people. People associate it with the traditional Japanese aesthetics in their mind. A tender and fragile floral tracery often inspired vast majority of Japanese artists and writers.
My teacher Josei Toda loved the sakura as well. Once we feasted our eyes together with its flowers which were dismissing their beige and pink petals. Enjoying their tenderness, my teacher said: «And for this time they have succeeded in surviving the long winter to blossom so!». Then he was in a trouble: his company appeared to be on verge of bankruptcy. While he was enjailed during the war, his enterprise was managed by dishonest people. But my teacher was calm and nothing could move him. Like sakura, a human should ride with dignity through the most severe storms of life, if he wants to meet the spring with flowering victory — so my teacher taught me.
«Sakura is unique because its buds begin to grow inside branches long before the spring», — we read in the Buddhistic literature. Indeed, bud buttons appear on its branches right after falling of its flowers. In winter a black trunk of sakura with naked branches looks like a dead one. But as soon as spring comes, a new life wakes up. Sakura is a symbol of victory of life.
We know well a kalina (viburnum), we love it very much. It grows in the countryside. People also like to plant it near the house. Early summer viburnum blossoms with white flowers which reminds us of mountain sakura flowers.
M.Z. In fall when a viburnum ripens, its leaves look as though they «make
Many warm-hearted songs and lyric verses were written about viburnum. People decorated their houses with its sprigs in Ukrainian villages. Kalina in the house showed hospitality and prosperity of the owners. It is also a Ukrainian emblem of union of past, present and future generations. In this regard, the Ukrainian kalina and the Japanese sakura are share common ground.
D.I. During gloomy war years, while being a teenager, I dreamed that one day I would plant a million of sakuras, and therefore, there would be no war anymore in our country. My dream has come true — many gardens of sakura now grow all over the country. The whole hill was turned into a garden. In Soka schools and universities, which I founded, there are also a lot of sakuras.
M.Z. Indeed, among associations which are caused by a word Ukraine, a sunflower occupies one of the main places. Brought by the Spanish to Europe from North America in 1619, in Ukraine a sunflower first appeared in the middle of the XVIII century. At first it was grown as a decorative plant, later for the sake of its grains which were used as a delicacy. Now Ukraine is a world’s biggest sunflower grower and sunflower-seed oil producer.
The scientists from the Institute of plant breeding named after Yuriev (Kharkov) perceived to get a
The well-known Ukrainian poet Ivan Drach wrote a ballad about this plant, where a sunflower, as a little sun, symbolizes generosity, kindness, honesty, industriousness.
At all times in Ukraine people treated surrounding nature, in particular trees, with care and respect, in particular to the tree. To injure a viburnum, cut a fruit-tree was considered a big sin.
D.I. The eastern tradition also honors a person who grows a tree as a defender of life. Considerate attitude towards trees can be witnessed in many cultures and, in fact, unites humanity.
Nursing the soul that loves nature
D.I. The major part of Japanese archipelagos is occupied by beautiful mountains, thickly treed. Mild and moist climate paints the forests with different colors every season of the year. It is thought that Japanese moral, aesthetics and sensitiveness, and also customes of local people are closely related to the beauty of their nature.
For example, at building of a traditional Japanese house a bearing construction is made with the help of numerous wooden columns which are put on the foundation apeak, like trees in forest.
Architects consider that forest serves as a prototype of Japanese house. Our custom to unshoe before we enter a house, also related with forest: a man comes into the dwelling, as if he enters forest, where he is surrounded by serenity and pure healthful air, that freshens his body and soul.
M.Z. In the second half of the XIXth century Ukrainian ethnologist Ivan Levitsky (known more as a writer Nechuy-Levitsky) in his research «The Worldview of Ukrainian people» wrote that all images for the religion, ancient Ukrainians had drawn from nature. He marked that there were no frightful,
Plants occupy an important role of Ukrainian folklore. In the national tradition symbolic value of many trees and plants are close to European one. In that way, oak personifies power and longevity, pine-tree — vitality and fertility, willow is considered to be an ancestor tree and it's associated with spring and nature alchemy. Viburnum, as a national emblem of Ukraine, unites in itself symbolism of sun, fire, girl's beauty and eternal love.
Caring, loving attitude of Ukrainians towards nature of dear land allowed them to guard it for hundred years from barbarian destroying, which, unfortunately, became a characteristic feature of the XXth century.
D.I. At the beginning of the last century a remarkable book called «The Humanistic Geography» was published by T. Makiguchi, a
M.Z. It’s seems like Makiguchi's ideas are in keeping with Ukrainian philosophers thoughts. The attitude towards earth is traditionally important for the Ukrainians. Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky, a prominent scientist, the first president of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, played a truly revolutionary role in realizing of this connection. In his research he combined scientific and humanitarian vision of the world, earth sciences and «living substance» with ones about a human and society. According to Vernadsky's noosphere theory human future is examined in unity with nature and space.
Vernadsky's noosphere studies especially attract my attention because his approach of studying the outward things and human life as one and indivisible substance is universal and very close to oriental philosophy. I am astonished by consonance of his world and Buddhism ideas. According to Buddhist attitude, the world of nature, including animate and inanimate objects, perceived as «alive».
Based on such approach, Buddhism asserts that relations between man and nature are not opposite, but interdependent. As the life influences on the environment and depends on it, they both are
Earth is ill, because people are ill, stated so, Buddhism underlines human responsibility before the environment. Modern humanity, possessing the powerful scientific and technical knowledge, is called to treat natural and social environment as its «keeper» and «defender», as well as «observer» of the beauty and values in this world.
The Russ and Russia
D.I. In 1991 after the Soviet Union separated your country proclaimed the independence. Due to the geographical position Ukraine became the crossroad of different civilizations, where Asian and Europen cultural features transformed into Ukrainian national tradition.
M.Z. The statehood of Ukraine is not accidental; its roots can be found in the depth of the history. The second half of the 1st century is the period of bright display of the east Slavs statehood. On the modern Ukraine territory lived different tribes like poliane, severiane, volyniane, drevliane, buzhane, tivertsy.In VI — VII centuries the Polish princedom had been created with the centre in Kiev and Kyi as the first prince.. And at the turn of the VIIIth and IXth centuries in the Middle Pridneprovie the state Russian land was formed. It has preceded the creation of the Kiev Russ in the second half of the IXth.
By the end of the millennium the Kiev Russ, being the center of Christian orthodoxy, became one of the leading states of the Middle Ages. It included territories where Russian and Byelorussian nations would have settled in the future.
D.I. The center of Kiev Russ was Kiev, the current capital of your country.
And the word Russ means Russia, although at that time the present Russia with its central city Moscow was not named so. Is that so?
M.Z. Right. Its official name Russia received only under Peter I, who found its former name Moscovia «dark and obscurant».
D.I. And when and where from the name «Ukraine» appeared?
M.Z. Numerous sources indicate that in the Middle Ages in the West Ukrainian lands were called as the Russ. The name «Ukraine» from the middle of the XVIIth century was mentioned as «Cossacks’ land». Well-informed authors included it as a component part of Russ in the role of ethnic and historic formation. It corresponded to the system of ethnic and historic concepts, existing in Ukraine that time. Ukrainian people perceived themselves as «rusky people», belonging to the Russ. In western sources of the XVIth -XVIIIth centuries Ukraine came forward under the name of the Russ, and people were named rusy, or rutentsy, including Cossacks who attracted the biggest interest.
Russian language was named Ukrainian in the Middle ages. At that time Western Slavonic linguists and authors of Slavonic grammars clearly differentiated Russian (Ukrainian) and the language of moscovites. Ukrainian language and Ukrainian culture in general are considered to be direct successors of the Kiev Russ language and culture.
Symbol of patriotism, valour, and love for freedom
D.I. It’s very interesting. Compared to history of an island country as Japan, the breadth, depth of historical events and changes of Ukraine as well as its language are grandiose and swift.
You mentioned before Cossacks’ land. A word «Cossacks» is well-known in Japan, because of popularity of a Ukrainian dance gopak which is also called as «Cossacks’ dance». Cossacks are also named free people. Is it correct?
M.Z. That’s right. Cossacks were and still remain for Ukraine a symbol of love for freedom. Foreigner invaders, including Crimean khanate, sultan Turkey, were continuously selling thousands of our ancestors from city and village to slavery.
In the XIVth and XVth centuries in the conditions of international isolation and neighbors’ hostility Ukrainian people demonstrated spirit toughness, aspiration for freedom and independence. Exactly then Cossacks appeared not only as military force but also as representatives of future state. The Cossacks incarnated an eternal dream of Ukrainian people to be free, independent, proud of national identity and traditions. In that respect Ukrainian Cossacks resemble Japanese samurai.
D.I. It seems to me, for many foreigners Japan is associated, foremost, with samurai. The French writer Andre Marlo in the conversation with me marked that samurai’s spirit,
Analyzing literary works translated into Japanese, I would say that the spirit of Ukrainian Cossacks, which in the XVIth century bravely struggled against foreign invaders, was the most successfully described in Nikolay Gogol’s «Taras Bulba».
My teacher Jocei Toda loved this book. More than 50 years ago relying on this literary masterpiece he told us about the importance of comradely ties, strong friendship in achieving success. He taught us the high spirit, which was indispensable to embody life ideals.
I read «Taras Bulba» some time after the war was over. Therefore, the image of the hero who bitterly crying, accompanied her husband Taras and two sons for war, made a strong impression on me. I recalled my mother, who lost her son during war. How many mothers and wives were left in tears during human history? Any violence, any war is terrible. The peaceful soul of Ukrainians is reflected in this novel. And one day it must definitely become the main philosophy of human civilization. It’s my opinion, while I grew up in a war time.
I remember the conversation with a former Ukrainian ambassador in Japan Yuri Kostenko. We talked about Cossacks and their velour. The ambassador said that Cossack’s courage was born from the feeling that they dedicated their lifes to sake of justice.
M.Z. In the XVIIth century Cossacks undertook a new attempt to create a national state. They led a liberation war of Ukrainian people under the direction of B. Khmelnitsky against south and western neighbors-conquerors.
Cossacks are deeply honoured by Ukrainian people, because during many centuries Ukraine fought for national and cultural identity.
In what things Japanese can be an example to Ukrainians
D.I. Scientists claim that the Japanese archipelago detached from the Eurasian continent about twenty thousand years ago.
How do Ukrainians imagine Japan?
M.Z. Japan is attractive for us for forming its culture and traditions throughout long time. In the period of self-isolation, from the XVIIth and up to the middle of the XIXth century, Japan experienced development of national originality. Then after a few centuries the world saw Japan as the richest traditional culture. It had the strongest influence on further development of European culture, foremost painting, theater and literature.
D.I. In Europe it is called «Japanese style». I hope that in future our country will be able to contribute active cultural exchange with different countries to the common treasury of human civilization.
M.Z. The imperial idea that prevailed in your country till the middle of the last century resulted in number of dramatic events during
D.I. Indeed, Japan’s defeat in the war became a «moment of truth» to reorient its way of development.
During the military period the supporters of our peacemaking movement Soka were subjected to repression by a militaristic government. A prominent teacher T. Makiguchi perished in jail. His follower, my teacher Josei Toda was released only after the war ended. Only after these dark pages of our history, we managed to confirm basic democratic values and human rights, including right of conscience by adoption of new constitution. It defined its further prosperity.
M.Z. I understand. Nevertheless, as one of the greatest victories of the Japanese I would name the independence during all history of your country. The example of how Japan consolidated its efforts, mobilized its intellect and culture with purpose of implementing its huge goals, is very essential for us.
It’s important to see these examples, study and follow them.
We consider that a secret of such success lies in industriousness, discipline, persistence, accuracy and patience of Japanese people. Our people sincerely respect your nation for these qualities, for ability to preserve national traditions, and support a national spirit for embodiment of scale ideas.
Openness and tolerance
D.I. During war years positive qualities of the Japanese served as a negative outcome — to lead the war. Our people worked for war with inborn industriousness and discipline that only lead to sorrows. Only after defeating the war, people regained consciousness. They were indignant and felt sorry for what they did.
Thus a national idea was formed — not to make similar mistakes further, point the efforts not on destructive, but on creative goals. And it became an important lesson in our history.
M.Z.. Unlike Japan, Ukraine is a multinational country where a title nation, Ukrainians, make little more than 50 percent of the population. In your state nationalism is understood as adherence to the country putting national interests higher than personal or group ones, but not as ideology of superiority of one nation above others and kindling international enmity. In this regard it is interesting how does such Japanese feature influence the public consciousness?
I.D. Surrounded by seas, Japan, nevertheless, has always had ancient connections with continental cultures, foremost with Chinese and Korean. Probably, that period of Japanese self-isolation is a rather brief historical exception.
The Japanese always desired to communicate with the outer world. However, the fact, that Japanese society is monoethnic, certainly, renders a considerable influence on peoples’ consciousness. Relying on a single tradition the Japanese can depend on implicit agreement of majority. It is hard for us to accept foreign. Unfortunately, even the modern Japanese are not fully opened to it. For our people it is extremely important to overcome reserved psychology of islanders, try to feel free and diversify the living.
As T. Makiguchi said at the beginning of the last century: «Japan needs to see itself not as a single country, separated from the continent, but as a group of islands that have many neighbors all over the Pacific bank ".
M.Z. In your opinion, what main spiritual qualities and common human values can form the ground for the cultural dialogue between Japan and Ukraine?
D.I. The most crucial task for modern humanity is to preserve the civilization, save our planet from cataclysms.
Generally, the consolidation of understanding this problem and searching for cooperative ways of its solution can and must become a common platform for all habitants of our planet.
In fact, you asked a question, touching the cultural dialogue between our two countries. But this dialogue must be perceived broader. It seems to me that humanity as never before is in need of global ethics, based on coexistence and tolerance. People will accept such ethics, if they are supported by different philosophical and religious studies. I believe that it is possible; I believe that we will be able to build a peaceful culture, which is going to replace the former philosophy of wars. And with this faith I give all forces to the dialogue between civilizations.
Source: "Campus" Magazine, Issue 3