Water Temple, architectural data and anecdotes

Architectural Data 
Designed by: ANDO and his office, Tadao Ando Architect & Associates 
Completed on: September 14, 1991 
Site area: 2990.75m² 
Building area: 859.47m² 
Total floor area: 417.16m² 
Structure: RC 
Level: 1st level basement 

Architectural Anecdotes 
Ando was contacted via a representative of the temple parishioners who had known him before. It was Ando’s first commission to design Buddhist architecture. From the beginning, he had no intention whatsoever to dwell on the well-established tradition and formats. Rather he was keen on how to be free from the big majestic roof telling how important the building was. He was thinking of a temple with a flat roof, an idea coming from modernism architecture. “If the buildings had to be reproduced as they were based on the stereotype of the Buddhist architecture, we would not be needed here,” Ando said. The parishioner representative agreed. They talked, “We’ll use contemporary sensitivity and technology to create an attractive temple.” 

Ando had “water” in mind as a clue and was aware of many temples surrounded by or on the water but he didn’t come across temples built below the water. Then he thought of a hall with a lotus pond cocooning the divinity and all sentient beings together. What he wanted to provide was the spatial experience by approaching and visiting the hall below the lotus pond instead of the imposing roofs themselves.

Everybody, the head priest and the parishioners, resisted Ando’s idea first. They couldn’t think of a temple without the typical roof. But a roshi of Daitoku-ji in Kyoto approved Ando’s idea and encouraged him to realize it. He thought it was wonderful to go physically into the lotus, a principle of Buddhism. Then the things turned out to be very easy and smooth. 

Below the rooftop oval lotus pond lies a main hall surrounded by a circular corridor as well as a meeting hall (off limits to ordinary visitors). The lattice window in the corridor faces west, allowing the afternoon sunlight coming in. The light is designed to come into the inner chamber where the divinity is enshrined. The sanctuary receives the light from behind the enshrined images and they look like they are emitting light themselves. The light might have traveled from the west pure land of Buddhism. For a moment in the evening, the space is colored sheer vermillion, almost a manifestation of the pure land here in the human world. 

The main hall is divided into an inner and an outer chamber, following the Shingon’s traditional way of arranging the room. This traditional layout is related to the spiritual field, which Ando wanted to pay respect to. 

The web site below has beautiful pictures of the lotus and water lily. Take a look if you please. 
http://kobe-mari.maxs.jp/awaji_city/honpukuji.htm 

Also located on Awaji-shima not far from the Water Temple is Awaji Yumebutai, a large complex of a hotel, conference center, chapel, gardens, restaurants, outdoor auditorium and green houses, designed by Ando. 

The Cloud over an Upward Slope Museum

The Cloud over an Upward Slope Museum, designed by ANDO, was completed in 2006. It stands in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku. The city is noted for its 3000-year-old Dogo Onsen in the Dogo district and Matsuyama Castle on Katsuyama Hill in the center of the city. It's a unique triangular building fitted with glass panels called the glass curtain wallson its western side. The glass reflects the surrounding scenery and the architecture blends in the environment. 

The museum showcases three enterprising figures from Matsuyama who lived out the Meiji period when Japan, finally awoken from its long self-imposed hibernation in the Edo period, was making the utmost effort to be recognized as a first-rate nation and attain an equal status with western countries. Japan pursued the cloud over an upward slope, thinking they would be able to catch up with the international society once they've reached the cloud. 

There are no English explanations available inside the museum. Therefore, it will not be worth trying the exhibits to look for information for non-Japanese. 
Architecturally, however, it’s fun to see the interior. Also, you are free to look around at the exterior and take pictures. 

The three renowned Japanese from Matsuyama, featured by the museum, the AKIYAMA brothers and MASAOKA Shiki, are interesting to know about. Through them, you’ll feel the dynamism of Meiji and see how young ambitious talents tried to make a difference at the dawn of modern Japan and achieve personal success.

AKIYAMA Yoshifuru [1859 to 1930] is credited with being the father of the Japanese Cavalry. While his younger brother, Saneyuki [1868-1918], excelled in naval tactics. When Saneyuki was born, the family already had too many children and was not well off. The parents hinted that they would give up the baby to a temple but ten-year-old Yoshifuru protested that he was going to make a lot of money in no time and that the bills he would get would be equal to the thickness of Tofu. 

MASAOKA Shiki [1867-1902] single-handedly revolutionized old Japanese poetry, making it relevant to contemporary Japan. NATSUME Soseki [1867-1916], one of the most renowned Japanese novelists from the Meiji period, was born in 1867, the same year as Shiki. They were born just before the advent of Meiji. They shared the room in Matsuyama for 52 days in 1895 when Soseki was working as an English teacher at a local school. Shiki came back to Matsuyama for health reason and Soseki let him live with him. 

Young illuminators like them lived the age of fledging Japan called Meiji [1868-1912].


See more of Ando's works on my previous blog site (category: Ando's architecture).

Observatory overlooking the Bridges & the Inland Sea

Felt special about this architecture designed by KUMA Kengo. But not well maintained by the municipal government, I suppose. The value of this structure has to be understood by those in charge. Should organize a clean-up session and ask architecture lovers to come over to participate in it with some special incentive, perhaps.

The view is spectacular. The sun set must be enchanting.

Recently desiginated one of the Lovers' Sanctuaries by some NPO. The lovers leave a lock on which they write their names and some sort of pledge (we'll be together forever ...). The locks hang on the railings. Looks a little bit spooky.

Located at a vintage point to see the Kurushima Strait Grand Bridges on the Shimanami Scenic Route, which connects Honshu main island and Shikoku island.

Lovers left locks on the railings, wishing for their lasting relationship.

This article first appeared on my previous blog site on June 29, 2010 and was edited slightly.

Bunny @ Okuno-shima

This cute littile guy lives on the island of Okuno-shima. I wanted to video-tape for a longer time but I happened to meet a gentleman from Shiga Pref. staying at a hotel (only one in fact) on the island when I was hiking down toward the port. 

He said he and his wife took local trains, taking neary half a day to come to the island from their home in Omi Hachiman (farther than Osaka or Kyoto from Hiroshima). I asked how much and he kindly let me know that he paid a little over 5000 yen a person and added he and his wife saw what they didn't manage to see if they had only taken Shinkansen, the fastest way to come here.

We talked and had a good time but I didn't film the cute islanders enough. Well I will be back. After all I live less than one hour away from Tadanoumi Port where boats leave for the island. What's more, free parking lots are available at the port. 

Now enjoy the video.

One day in Peace Park

   Just look at this.

Let me proudly present to you Kimi the composed dog and Non the raccoon on the guard.

One morning in Peace Park, a little after we heard the chime from Peace Clock Tower standing tall in the corner of Peace Park go off at 8:15, Miki and I happened to see them.

We talked to the caretakers of the two and were granted permission to take photos of these lovable visitors to the park.

We were told that they walk in the park every day but usually come earlier.

So we were extra lucky being able to see them! This seems to be a gift bestowed upon us who woke up very early to come to Peace Park quite early to attend to the good cause we were in charge on that day.

Here's what I'd like to recommend:
Come to the park at 7:00 in the morning. Try finding Kimi and Non walking in the park while visiting some of the momuments (study them in advance), take a nice quiet walk in the park and hear the chime at 8:15. At 8:30, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is open. Visit the museum any time after that.

Also, visit the memorial hall in the park too.

That way, you might find your early morning filled with love and peace.

Oh, just for your information, my friend Miki is orthograde, meaning she's not a dog or raccoon but a human.

PS
This article was transferred from my previous blog site. Originally written on September 7, 2010

Okuno-shima where rabbits live



The island is theirs !

Japan was struggling to modernize herself for her survival and prosperity after debuting on the world stage in the latter half of the 19th century. One critical effort made in those days was to establish fortifications in the Seto Inland Sea area in preparation for possible attack by foreign forces.

This peaceful island was once part of the fort built in those days and still has ruins from that part of the history. It also has legacies from the Imperial Army’s poison gas plant which stood on this island from 1929 to 1945. Furthermore, the island was condemned by the US occupation forces and used as the ammunition storage base when the Korean War was fought.

The island is where you should be conscious of the history of war in the 19th century. There stands the Museum of Poison Gases, small but worth visiting.

At the same time, the scenery around the island is enchanting with placid waters and islands. Seasonal flowers please your eyes and there are lots of rabbits. Yes, some hundred rabbits live on this island. They are half tamed and welcome your cabbage. Rabbit food in pellet is sold at an only hotel on the island. The Visitor Center displays the photos of those rabbits taken by tourists.    

A little girl and I holding the crab, Sep. 2011 

In addition, a male helmet crab lives in a tank at the Visitor Center. This guy was caught by a fisherman about two years ago by chance and has been kept there for about two years. Hermit crabs are said to live some 25 years and become matured in around 13 years. A male links himself to a female once they mate. They stay linked for the rest of their life. Weird?

The island is four kilometers in circumference, and the circular road along the sea is three kilometers long and the summit of the hill is 100 meters high. Just the right size for you to have a day’s outing.

A day’s tour from the city of Hiroshima is easily enjoyed. If you have a JR pass, the tour is very affordable. You only have to pay for the boat rides (600 yen round trip). If not, it’s still not bad. I’m offering a tour to the island. Include this island in your itinerary. You won’t regret.



Ruins of Battery

Summit of the small mountain, vantage point for the view

Holocaust Education Center in Fukuyama



Holocaust Education Center


The Holocaust Education Center stands quietly on the outskirts of Fukuyama City. The first impression on the building personally was it looked pure and peaceful filled with subtle light. Inside, the white stairs unassumingly invite you upwards (Details of the stairs should be paid attention to). But before going upstairs, visitors are guided into an auditorium, where a 15-minute-long introduction film, either in Japanese or English, is aired after the roll curtains are pulled down over a large expanse of glass  window facing the rose garden. The roses, Souvenir d'Anne Frank, were bred and dedicated to Anne Frank who enriched her short life by keeping a diary for two years before she and the family were arrested and taken to Nazi concentration camps. The garden is cozy with flowers, round tables probably to sit down on, and the statue of Anne, especially around May when the roses are in bloom, gradually changing colors from orange to pink.

On the first floor, the lobby serves as a library with books, audio media, tables, and chairs (the furniture is well-designed). There’s a children’s library too, where kids take off their shoes at the round door to the library, go in, and spend their time freely. Nearby is a large pane of glass with symbolic stained glass pieces of butterflies and a poem composed by a child in the ghetto.

The Butterfly

The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing
against a white stone.

Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly way up high.
It went away I'm sure because it wished to
kiss the world good-bye.

For seven weeks I've lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don't live here,
in the ghetto.

 

Butterfly stained glass



  

The second floor is the display area. The route is laid out properly. The replica of Anne’s hiding room makes you feel a little girl’s presence. An old small shoe left after the child’s death touches your heart and your thought would be extended to 1.5 million children who perished in the holocaust.

The HEC is made beautiful with the devoted effort of the architect and his associates and of course the dedication of pastor OTSUKA Makoto who met Anne’s father and was determined to let the children and people know about the holocaust so that we would remember the sacrifice and study the history and human nature, and eventually embrace each other with love.

The architect MAEDA Keisuke and the client OTSUKA Makoto were awarded the Dedalo Minosse International Prize in 2008. The prize is given to the architects aged 40 or younger due to their high-quality work and their clients for commissioning buildings. Click here to go to the Dedalo Minosse web site to read the evaluation on the HEC.

The HEC building uses geothermal energy as an attempt to be friendly to the earth.

 

Children's library

  

Stairs to the upper floor



Backside of the HEC and the garden