Introduction

The exhibition ”Dialogue with Nature“ displays over 100 photographs by Daisaku Ikeda (1928-2023) and, for the first time, excerpts from his poems, turning into a mutual and deepening dialogue.

Until his passing, Mr. Ikeda continued to strive for peace, and he had visited more than 50 countries to establish heart-to-heart relations with the people and to seek dialogue with scholars, cultural figures and world leaders. On his worldwide journeys, Daisaku Ikeda seeked to catch with his camera moments of nature that touched his heart.

There exists a certain beauty, a special value that can be only found on a certain day, at a given time and one certain moment. This reality brings a photograph to life. ”One cannot perceive beauty with the naked eye. This will be only possible, if one looks with the eyes of the heart.“ (R. Tagore)

Daisaku Ikeda had widely opened his eyes of the heart and, therefore, the world of his photographs and poems is like a treasury of life, shining with beauty.

The exhibition „Dialogue with Nature“ is a poetic journey, where the Far East meets with the West, and where we can see through Daisaku Ikeda's view a part of the mind of modern Japan that has been quite unkown up to now.

He called himself an amateur, and it was his desire that these photographs will provide many aficionados with self-confidence and hope, and that they might serve as a small contribution towards fostering both cultural and friendly relations.

”Daisaku Ikeda is known around the world as a spiritual leader, philosopher, and poet. His spoken words, his writings, and his dialogues with many of the twentieth century's most distinguished thinkers have contributed to the creation of better understanding of ourselves and the earth we share.
This exhibition of President Ikeda's «Dialogue with Nature» reveals his hitherto little-known talent as a photographer. The powerful combination of his poetry and photographs expands our appreciation of his powers of communication. His sensitivity to the beauties ot nature and his concern tor peace and brotherhood are evident in his photographs and make a great impact upon the viewer.“

Cornell Capa

American photographer and founding director emeritus of the International Center of Photography;

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