Seeds
x = independently organized TED event

Theme: RHAPSODY IN INNOVATION

This event occurred on
November 17, 2012
10:00am - 10:00pm JST
(UTC +9hrs)
Yokohama
Japan

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).

YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE
1 Shinko Naka-ku Yokohama, Kanagawa
Yokohama, 231-0001
Japan
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Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.

Hiroshi Ishiguro

Roboticist. As a roboticist, Dr. Ishiguro ultimately explores the nature of human. He is known for robots such as his geminoids, copies of real-life models, and was listed by Creators Synectics, Inc. as one of the "Top 100 living geniuses in the world" in 2007. He currently serves as professor at Osaka University and as visiting group leader at the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute (ATR). Together with playwright and TEDxSeeds2011 speaker Mr. Oriza Hirata, he has produced the world's first android-human theater performance.

Alubomulle Sumanasara

The chief Sanghanayaka of Japan. The chief adviser of Japan Theravada Buddhist Association. In 1945, Ven. Sumanasara was born in Sri Lanka, and he became a samanera (novice monk) at the age of 13. In 1965 he was fully ordained as bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) and continued formal monastic training. After teaching Buddhist philosophy at a national university in Sri Lanka, in 1980, he came to Japan to study Japanese Buddhism on the funds of the Sri Lankan Government. He is an internationally renowned Buddhist scholar and meditation master, He is currently involved in Buddhist evangelism and in guiding people into the practice of Vipassana. Moreover, Ven. Sumanasara is giving sermons at the Asahi Culture Center, and appeared several times on NHK Educational TV show, "The Age of Spirituality (Kokoro no Jidai)".Ven. Sumanasara preaches Buddha's teachings, which are actual and insightful wisdom to practice today.

John Hardy

Co-founded Green School. Mr. Hardy co-founded Green School in Bali, Indonesia, which provides children with a natural, holistic, student-centered learning environment that empowers and inspires them to be creative, innovative, green leaders in a remarkable bamboo-made environment. After graduating from the Ontario College of Art & Design, he settled in Bali at the age of 25 and began a jewelry company, which became a worldwide success. He sold the company in 2007, and created Green School with his wife, Cynthia. The school combines traditional subjects, creative arts and green studies to reflect their wish to build a sustainable world through education and design. Mr. Hardy also is an advocate of the use of bamboo as an alternative to timber, and has worked on various bamboo design projects with his daughter.

Hisaya Iwasa

Film directorMr. Iwasa remains an active filmmaker at the age of 77. For more than ten years, he has been portraying the people of Tibet, in whom he finds the things that Japan has left behind. His first encounter with the Tibetan people was at a refugee center in Nepal. There he met Momo Chenga, an old woman who became the subject for his 2002 documentary film, "Momo Chenga". He has also interviewed the Dalai Lama. His most recent work, "OLO" (2012), follows his conversations and travels with Olo, a young Tibetan boy who traveled alone to India as a refugee at the age of six.

Yuko Jackson Sumida

Dance educator. Ms. Jackson is the only Japanese woman to have worked as Michael Jackson's backup dancer. She was also the only female backup dancer in his worldwide "Dangerous" tour. She won the position soon after she moved to Los Angeles at age 24, and worked with him for the next five years in several music videos, TV programs and commercials. After giving birth to a daughter, she taught dance classes at New York University. In 2004, she returned to Japan to establish her studio, Awakening Space, where she introduces her original dance exercises. In 2007, Newsweek chose her as one of the "100 most respected Japanese" for her success as a dancer and contribution to dance education.

-YAMATO- -the drummers of Japan-

Japanese drum performance group YAMATO was founded in 1993 in Nara prefecture, or "the Land of Yamato", which is often referred to as the birthplace of Japanese culture. Now based in Asuka village, with over a thousand years' history, the 16-member group has stirred the souls of audiences in all corners of the world with their energetic performance. In 1998 they participated in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and received the Jack Tinker Spirit of the Fringe Award, along with praise from the UK media. This led them to embark on their series of rigorous one-year world tours, and have attracted more than 5 million people through over 2,500 performances in 51 countries.

Yuito Yoneyama

Chemistry Quest developerMr. Yoneyama, aged 13, is the youngest CEO in Japan. Following his fascination with the universe at age 4, his interest branched out to areas such as fossils, chemistry, minerals and chemical elements. When he was 9 years old, he saw a concentration game his friend made, and came up with the idea for his card game, Chemistry Quest. Hoping to share the fun with other children his age, he began his own company in 2011 at the age of 12. This year, he released an English version of the game in Singapore, with a vision of spreading it to the world.

Hideshi Hamaguchi

Concept creator. Mr. Hamaguchi is a global pioneer in innovation thinking. After graduation from Kyoto University, he joined Panasonic Corporation (former Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.). In 1994, he developed Japan's first corporate intranet. He then served as a strategist at Ziba Design, Inc. for three years from 1998, during which he led many innovations including creating the concept of the world's first USB flash drive in 1999. He returned to Panasonic, joined LUNARR, Inc. as COO, and now works with Ziba again as Director of Strategy. In 2012, he became a juror of the red dot award.

Hidetomo Kimura

Art Aquarium producer. Mr. Kimura created the concept of Art Aquariums, which is a unique combination of art, design and interior with his lifework, aquariums. His "Sky Aquarium", held regularly since 2007 at Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, and his "Art Aquarium: Kingyo series" exhibitions in Nihombashi, Kyoto and Kobe, which featured Japanese goldfish, have been a successful showcase of this new field. He is also an active ocean conservationist. Now based in Tokyo and Italy, he is at work to introduce his Art Aquariums to the world.

RADENTAI

Koto quartet. Four koto (Japanese harp) players founded Radentai in 1997: Shin Ichikawa, Ai Kajigano, Mayuko Kobayashi and Azumi Yamano. Aiming to explore the possibilities of koto, the group has come to be recognized for its unique repertoire ranging from traditional pieces to modern scores and impromptu performances. In 2006 the group made its appearance at Tokyo Summer Festival, the annual international music festival, as the event's sole choice in the traditional Japanese music division. In 2011 they released their debut CD, "FUJIN". From the quartet, Mr. Ichikawa and Ms. Kobayashi will be performing at TEDxSeeds2012.

Nobuhiro Tajima

Racecar driver. Mr. Tajima is nicknamed "Monster" Tajima for his dynamic racing style. In addition to winning a total of nine titles in the All Japan Dirt Trial Championship, he has won in several international rallies since his debut at age 18. Now aged 62, he is best known for his records at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb held in Colorado, U.S.A.; in 1995 he became the first Japanese champion, then won for six consecutive years from 2006 to 2011. In 2011 he broke the previous world record he had set in 2007. Also a successful businessman and car designer, Mr. Tajima owns companies including Tajima Motor Corporation where he is now developing next-generation electronic vehicles and race cars.

Kota Nezu

Designer, "Creative Communicator" Mr. Nezu believes that "connection" between related parties and processes is the crucial element for a creative project to become successful. After graduation from Chiba University and working for Toyota Motor Corp., he founded znug design, inc. in 2005 (znug is read tsunagu, which means "to connect" in Japanese). There he designs industrial products and automobiles, and has received a number of awards including the Good Design Award (Japan) and iF Design Award (Germany). One of his most recent works is a low-ride electric motorcycle named ZecOO, which has received much attention worldwide not only for its striking appearance but also for its communication-oriented production process.

Daijiro Ohara

Typographic artistMr. Ohara studied design at Musashino Art University, and began his career as a freelance artist in 2003. He is interested in letters, not merely as a means of tracing language onto paper, but as artistic forms. In addition to incorporating typographic elements in his work, which range from editorial designs to music videos, he holds a variety of unique workshops centered on typography. Each workshop is an exploration of ways to detach us from the daily experience of neutral digital lettering, and to tune our senses to the rich meaning that letterforms can convey.

Hirohito Totsune

Lighting designerMr. Totsune became attracted to the field of lighting design when studying architecture at Tokyo University. He joined a lighting design firm after graduation, and started Sirius Lighting Office Inc. in 2005. He has worked on several iconic sites, such as the Hamarikyu Gardens, the chapel at Hotel Nikko Tokyo and most recently, the Tokyo Sky Tree, which opened in May 2012 as the tallest tower in Japan. His vague and transient illuminations are popular abroad as well, winning him projects in cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei.

Organizing team

Hiromasa
Ito

Tokyo, Japan
Organizer

Keiko
Satoh

Tokyo, Japan
Co-organizer
  • Ai Tomiki
    Communication Design Team
  • Eiko Furukawa
    Communication Design Team