Juki Iida's 1974 'Niwa' article - 2015 translation

by aleks
The Seattle Japanese Garden will open its gates to the public in a few days on March 1st, and the following Sunday March 6th it'll have an official First Viewing with a customary Shinto ceremony.

This is a good time to reflect on the words of Juki Iida, the builder of our Garden, penned after his visit to Seattle and the Garden 13 years after the construction was finished; the article was originally published in the Japanese magazine 'Niwa' in February 1974, and just recently translated into English by Shizue Prochaska and Julie E. Coryell.

Below the beginning of Juki Iida article's translation; the whole translation at link below the excerpt.  The captions under the pictures of the Garden how it looks today, are taken from the Juki Iida's 1974 article.

• • • 

Next week:  look for the article by Koichi Kobayashi on the 'Welcome Rock by Dick Yamasaki' (the stone arrangement in the area between the current south entrance gate and WPA vintage stone bridge, which was not completed by the end of the initial garden construction).

SJG • 10/27/15
Juki Iida, 1974: ‘[…] We pruned most of the lower branches of some trees located in the path of view lines. Of course, I had to admit that our work looked pretty strange, however, it was done with the future in mind. Fortunately we obtained spruce and yew trees seven-to-eight-feet high so we could plant them from the base of the waterfall up the hill around the jūsansō-tō, thirteen-story pagoda.[…]’

ABOUT THE JAPANESE GARDEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON By Jūki Iida

Shizue Prochaska and Julie E. Coryell, translators, 2015.

[Note: translators added information within brackets for clarity].

Gai Yō, Introduction

This garden was constructed thirteen years ago between 1959 and 1960. I learned that
the University of Washington made the initial request to build a garden. Consul General Yoshiharu Takeno in Seattle contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in turn, conveyed the request to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
When I was asked to assist in this project, two points struck me. First, how could rocks, plants, and other materials for a large-scale Japanese garden be obtained outside of Japan? Second, how could people of European descent and second-generation gardeners [of Japanese descent] build such a garden? Never having experienced such a project and thinking it could be a great opportunity to learn, I was happy to undertake the work.

SJG • 10/27/15
Juki Iida, 1974: ‘[…] The pond covers 850 tsubo [about 1.5 acres]. The plan is a stroll garden in “somewhat Momoyama style.” Where the creek enters the pond, large sawa tobi ishi, marsh stepping-stones connect the shores. A yukimi-tōrō, snow-viewing stone lantern stands nearby.[…]’

Sekkei, Planning

With the leadership of [master landscape designer Sensei] Kiyoshi Inoshita, the design team included [Tokyo Metropolitan Park Department Director] Tatsuo Moriwaki, [Tokyo Metropolitan Park Department Engineer] Nobumasa Kitamura, Messrs. [Shoshi] Iwao Ishikawa, Naotomo Ueno, Chikara Itō, and myself. The year before [in 1958] discussion of building a Japanese garden in Seattle started around the time Park Director Moriwaki visited the United States and viewed the site personally. Using his firsthand report and photographs and other materials sent to us from Seattle, we formed the basic plan.

Genchi Chōsa, Site Research

In the autumn of 1959, I traveled to America to check the initial plan for the proposed garden site and to explore the availability of rocks, trees, shrubs, and other materials. The day after my arrival, I attended a meeting of the Arboretum Foundation members with the Acting Consul General and [Cultural Affairs liaison James] Fukuda. There I explained the plan in detail. Everyone present appeared to be satisfied with the design. I was told that the garden was planned to be built for the centennial celebration of the Japan-

America treaty [1858] but was delayed for various reasons. The Arboretum Foundation members left matters in my hands to build an authentic Japanese garden “not to be found” outside Japan. 

SJG • 10/27/15
Juki Iida, 1974: ‘[…] A yatsuhashi, zigzag bridge and a dobashi, earthen bridge link the middle island to the shores.[…]’

Zōen Shikichi , Garden Site

The garden site covers about 6,000 plus tsubo [actually three and a half acres], stretching north to south fronting a public road to the east. It faces slopes of zōkibayashi, woodlands, to the northwest and south. There is a numasawachi, marsh, at the bottom of the slopes. I found the site ideal for building a Japanese garden and not likely to require extensive revision of the design. There is already a teahouse donated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on the south side of a small hill. [...]

The whole article  (+ a dictionary of Japanese terms used in the article) here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dTvsGBY3zjaE9xTHdVeEktUlU/view?usp=sharing

SJG • 10/27/15
Juki Iida, 1974: ‘[…] To create the atmosphere of a harbor town and boat landing, between the foot of the north slope and the pond we used sandstone pavers measuring two by seven-feet, and to represent a lighthouse, we placed an omokage-gata tōrō, face-style or reflection lantern. To protect the foot of the slope we created a seven-foot high rock wall and planted a chain of small shrubs on top of the wall. […]’

This May: Invitation to the most memorable tour to Kyoto and Kansai, Japan

We are currently finalizing a group tour (Max. ten)  to Kansai Region of Japan. This tour will concentrate on gardens, architecture and townscape of  Kyoto, Nara and Takayama of Japan starting on May 13 for 12 days.

Special feature of this tour is to follow a number of gardens illustrated by Yuri Ugaya in her just published book, “ Splendid Gardens in Kyoto”. She once studied with me when I was a visiting professor at Awaji Landscape and Horticulture Academy of  Hyogo University.

-- 

Koichi Kobayashi

小林　竑一 

Visiting Research Fellow

Hyogo University, Japan

Kobayashi Global, Seattle, WA. USA

The link below will take you to 5-page detailed schedule of the trip, features, pictures of potential places to visit, cost and contact: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9dTvsGBY3zjTjBldEI5aVQ5N2s/view?usp=sharing

Lecture: Evolving garden in Japan and abroad

-- Mr. Takuhiro Yamada of Hanatoyo Zouen of Kyoto will make the following presentation. You and your friends are invited.

1. Presentation:

10:30-11:30 AM, February 15 , 2016
Place: Theater at Bayview Manor
11 West Aloha Street, Seattle, WA 98119
Ph: 206-284-7330

2. Tour and workshop at the garden

1:30 PM-3:00 PM at Tateuchi Community Room

He has recently designed and installed Tea House and Garden, Urasenke style at Hungtington Library and Museum in Pasadena and has been maintaining the garden. He has been working on Japanese Garden around the world including Kubota Garden in Seattle.


Koichi Kobayashi

小林　竑一

Visiting Research Fellow
Hyogo University, Japan

Kobayashi Global, Seattle, WA. USA

Tsunagu: Connecting to the architecture of Kengo Kuma

February 4-29, 2016 Center for Architecture  (403 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR)

Many of us Japanese garden lovers visited Portland Japanese Garden already sometime in the past. We were impressed. This year, they are closed since last September until March 1 because they are working on “Cultural Crossing” expansion project for $33.5 million.

The center piece of the project is Kengo Kuma (隈研吾, 1954- Japanese prominent architect)’s design for a Cultural village buildings for a learning center, a library, gallery and tea café. Now our faces are all green with envy, aren't they? These three buildings are LEED–certified, meaning it was recognized as best-in-class green building by USGBC. LEED stand for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design. They are even greener. :)

The exhibition,Tsunagu: Connecting to the architecture of Kengo Kuma, uses images, construction drawings, as well as some interactive displays, in order to introduce Kuma’s architectural philosophy: continuity between nature, natural materials, and Japanese tradition.

“Kengo Kuma’s work is about a continuous flow of spaces, reinforcing the human relationship with nature and one another. Tsunagu means cpmmectopm. But also has implications of continuity, linking, and looking forward.”

While I question the claim “It [Portland Japanese Garden] is considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan,” by Yuuyake Shimbun (Community paper in Portland), the exhibition may worth a visit for Portland again during the wet and cold month of February.

http://japanesegarden.com/events/tsunagu-connecting-to-the-architecture-of-kengo-kuma/

Source:

Portland Japanese Garden. Events. (link above)

Portland Japanese Garden Exhibition Distills Design Concepts Of Kengo Kuma. Yuuyake Shimbun. The sunset Newspaper. Dec. 2015. 207.

Two presentations on Japanese Garden

Time: Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 3:30 PM
Place: UW Arboretum Foundation, 2300 Arboretum Drive East
           Seattle, WA 98112 (Both with Power Point Presentation)

“Design of Kurimoto Japanese Garden at University of Alberta”
by Dr. Isao Nakase, University of Hyogo, Japan
and
“Garden of Enlightenment of Tohoku”
 by Koichi Kobayashi, Seattle, USA


      San Diego, CA
      Los Angels, CA
      Saratoga. CA
      Seattle, WA
      Vancouver B.C.
      January 15-25, 2016


Isao Nakase Presents:

① 日本庭園におけるデザインアイデア  Design ideas in Japanese Garden
     自然立地が庭園の基本 : 京都の庭と借景 Base for Japanese Garden-Kyoto Garden
     否定の美の観点から見た日本庭園: Japanese Garden as seen from denial
     デザイン技法 : 縮景・借景、多様な感覚(有機感覚)、スケール感、時間などについて。

②クリモト庭園のコンセプトと設計のついて Concept for Kurimoto Garden
     日本風カナダ庭園 : なぜ、緑豊かなエドモントンに日本庭園 Why in Edmonton?
      地域主義の庭園 : 地元の素材 、技術、人材 High localization

Koichi Kobayashi Presents :

Reflections from "Garden of Enlightenment of Tohoku"
North American's participation on building a commemorative Japanese Garden for victims of 2011 Earthquake Disaster and Recovery. Introduction to 2016 Program and beyond.


A. Design of Kurimoto Japanese Garden at University of Alberta

The Kurimoto Japanese Garden began with the approval of a proposal by Dr. Marion Shipley and the Friends of the Devonian Botanic Garden in 1978. The garden is named after Dr. Yuichi Kurimoto, who was the first Japanese national to graduate from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts in 1930. The two Mayday trees, located on the centre hill, were planted by Hiroshi Kurimoto in memory of his parents in 1993.

Purpose 
The Kurimoto Japanese Garden's main purpose is to provide a cultural exchange between the Japanese and Canadians. This exchange has created a place for meditation and contemplation, rather than just another pretty garden. The garden is the creation of the designer, the late Tadashi Kubo, Kubo and Associates, Osaka, Japan. It was implemented by his representative Kozo Mitani, Japan. An attempt is made to idealize or make abstractions of the surrounding nature. There are subtleties left untouched in the garden where visitors are left create images in their own minds. Thus, each person entering and leaving the garden gates forms his or her own interpretation of the garden.
http://www.devonian.ualberta.ca/DisplayGardens/KurimotoJapaneseGarden.aspx


Isao Nakase, PhD
Director General, Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo  
Professor Emeritus, University of Hyogo

Born in 1948 in Osaka Prefecture, and completes a master’s course in agriculture at Graduate School of Osaka Prefectural University.  Before taking the current post, I served as an instructor, and Associate Professor at Osaka Prefectural University, and a visiting scholar at University of California, Berkeley.  I took my PhD in agriculture at Kyusyu University.  I was awarded a prize by Japanese Institute of Landscape Architects.
My main publications include: American Landscape no Shiso (“Concepts of American Landscape”), Kashima Institute of Publishing Co., Ltd.; Mori, Hito, Machizukuri (“Forest, Humans, and Urban Planning”), Gakugei Shuppan-sha; Kankyo wo Mamorisodateru Gijyutsu (“Technology Protecting and Nurturing the Environment: Environmental Strategies for Self-Governing Bodies and Communities”), Gyosei Corporation; Kodomono tameno Asobi Kankyo (“The Environment for Children’s Playing”), Kashima Institute of Publishing Co., Ltd.; Midori-Kukan no Universal Design (“Universal Design for Greenery Environments”), Gakugei Syuppan-sha; Anzen to Saisei no Machizukuri (“Safe, Reproductive Urban Planning”), Gakugei Syuppan-sha.
I had been appointed as a president of Japanese Institute of Landscape Architects, a vice president of Japanese Society of People-Plant Relationship, a member of Independent Administrative Institution Evaluation Committee of Ministry of Finance Japan, a temporary member of Central Environmental Council Japan, a committee member of Japan Groundwork Association, a member of an environmental assessment committee in Hyogo Prefecture, a member of a local urban planning council in Hyogo Prefecture, a member of a council for lives of residents in Hyogo Prefecture, and Director of Tamba no Mori Association.  I am also involved in NPOs by working as a member of an executive committee of a national citizens’ summit for dragonflies, and as a director-general of Hanshin Green Network for reconstructing areas damaged by the Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake.


B. Garden of Enlightenment of Tohoku

There are many of you who have benefited overtime being associated with Japan or apprenticed and studied in Japan, yet some of you including myself, who do not know how to assist Tohoku, Japan for their recovery from disasters of March 11, 9011, in some meaningful and constructive way.

There is a unique opportunity to assist in building a Japanese Garden near Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. This garden, when completed, will be a memorial and prayer for victims of disaster and commemorate their efforts in recovery and future development.

Designing and building of this garden is organized by Sendai Chapter of the Japanese Garden Society. It is being built on a five year program with a completion date set at 2019 to coincide with the society's 100 year anniversary.

The garden has been under construction and constatnt design improvement for the last three years under careful eyes of Japanese garden masters of Masaki Kikuchi, Eietsu Yokoyama and Yoshinori Hirose of the Garden Society of Japan.

This presentation is about the purpose of the garden, people involved and our (Team North America) participation in the project, 2015.

Koichi Kobayashi, JILA
Principal, Kobayashi Global of Seattle
Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Hyogo University

Koichi served as the President of Puget Sound Japanese Garden Society and Kobayashi & Associates. His practice and teaching covers both sides of the Pacific. Koichi Kobayashi, A.S.L.A., J.I.L.A., is a registered Landscape Architect, and has over 40 years experience in the fields of landscape architecture, urban design and environmental planning. .Hs education includes a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1972 and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Kyoto University, Japan in 1968.Since starting his own firm in 1981, Koichi has been involved with all the projects completed by the firm. His work experience covers USA, Canada, Japan, China, Korea and Dubai. He has served as an Executive Board Member of WASLA (1988,1992) as well as a number of other professional and civic commissions and boards in Washington and Ohio as well as  in Japan. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Japanese Institute of Landscape Architects and North American Japanese Garden Society. He is a recipient of a number of awards including American President Design Excellence and Federal Design Achievement and Japanese Institute of Landscape Architectural Award. Currently he is based  out of Seattle, Washington, USA, serving domestic as well as overseas clients , NPOs and volunteer organizations.

Guest Performers of Japanese Music & Dance from Japan

Wariki (see below) will provide a free lecture / demo on taiko drums, Japanese dance, fue (flute) and shamisen (3-stringed Japanese instrument):

When: Jan 15, 2016, 2:45 p.m 
Where: Carlson Theater at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE Bellevue, WA 98007). 

*Free Japanese snacks available in the Carlson lobby

Wariki, a three-man group, will be coming from Japan to Bellevue this January as part of the 2nd Annual Bellevue World Taiko Festival.  On Friday, January 15, they will also be giving a free lecture / demonstration for the Bellevue College community. Everyone is welcome.

Wariki is dedicated to the re-creation of traditional art forms into theatrical productions. Wariki’s members are masters of their instruments and traditional performing art forms and have been performing individually for more than 30 years. They have been touring and performing  in Japan and around the world (US, Canada, Europe, etc.) as a group since the group’s founding over 15 years ago.  http://www.wariki.jp/eg/aboutwariki.html 

This event is sponsored by the Asian Pacific Islanders Student Association and Katarou-kai, a Japanese language culture exchange club of Bellevue College. 

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/fyi/2015/11/30/guest-performers-of-japanese-music-dance-from-japan/ (edited by Keiko)