Sunpu Castle Gate and Mt. Fuji Replica
On Saturday, October 1, 2005, the first icons of Lauritzen Gardens’ future Japanese garden were dedicated – the Sunpu castle gate and a replica of Mt. Fuji.
These two elements are a sequence of visual events that signal the high quality and authenticity of the future six-acre garden, and are located at the garden's symbolic entrance. In the open meadow behind the gate sits a 377.6-inch-tall replica of Mt. Fuji. The real Mt. Fuji in Japan is 3,776 meters tall, making it approximately 400 times larger than the Lauritzen Gardens scaled replica.
Visitors may walk on a path, through a kabuki gate which signals “public space,” through the Sunpu castle gate to a red torii gate at the base of the scaled replica of Mt. Fuji. On Mt. Fuji are ten volcanic stones representing the ten stations of Mt. Fuji that climbers in Japan pass on their way to the shrine at the peak. A granite shrine and red torii gate from Shizuoka sit atop the Lauritzen Gardens miniature Mt. Fuji.
Further enhancing the authenticity of this area is the gift of 24 carved stone lanterns. These beautiful works of art are located along the path to the Sunpu castle gate and Mt. Fuji. A gift of Mr. Yoichiro Suzuki and Mr. Tsutomu Asada of Shizuoka, these lanterns range in size from 2.5 feet to 11 feet tall and represent many different styles of lanterns.
Construction of the Sunpu Castle Gate and Mt. Fuji replica is the first step toward fundraising for the multi-million dollar Japanese garden project. Visitors interested in learning more about the fundraising campaign may call the development department at (402) 346-4002 ext. 222.
Japanese Garden Dream Began Decades Ago
For decades predating the existence of Lauritzen Gardens, several Omaha citizens have dreamed of building a Japanese garden in Omaha. In 1995, Yuichi Kawai of Omaha's Sister City, Shizuoka, Japan, made a personal financial commitment to its creation by commissioning a Japanese garden design by Shinichiro Abe of ZEN Associates.
Based in Boston, Mass., ZEN Associates specializes in Japanese gardens, and one of their most well known projects is the Peace Bell Garden at the entrance to the United Nations building in New York City.
The gift of the garden design was officially presented to the City of Omaha and the garden in September of 1996 in celebration of the Omaha Sister Cities Association 30th anniversary with Shizuoka, Japan.
Japanese gardens are appreciated and admired in several major U.S. cities due to their unique visuals. To construct these living art forms, many American-Japanese collaborations, similar to Omaha's relationship with Shizuoka, have been created. The primary purpose of Japanese gardens in America is cultural communication.
The future Japanese garden's design includes central focus on a one-acre pond, with streams and waterfalls flowing into the pond. Also included will be an intimate ceremonial Japanese teahouse and dry sand and stone garden.
Japanese gardens found in the U.S. are not exact replicas of gardens found in Japan, though. Due to climate differences, they are interpretations that incorporate plants that are similar to plants found in Japan. The Japanese garden at Lauritzen Gardens will feature plants hardy in the Nebraska landscape, and while all plants found in traditional Japanese gardens may not be hardy, representational plants will be used.
The site at Lauritzen Gardens, west of the rose garden and south of the main pathway to the founders garden, was originally selected by Mr. Abe, the Japanese landscape architect who designed the garden. He was impressed with the feeling of the steep valley walls in the area that mirrored some of the topography in Japan, and because the garden design is oriented around a large pond, the site is visually conducive to having a body of water at its base.
The biggest noticeable difference between American gardens and Japanese gardens is in maintenance techniques. Japanese gardens are finely manicured to instill specific characteristics on the plants rather than letting them grow wild and natural. These sculptural trimming techniques are highly labor intensive and are performed on a frequent basis. The end product is a garden that looks like it has existed for centuries and communicates an ancient feeling.
The future Lauritzen Gardens Japanese garden will be the largest between Chicago and Denver, and is part of the garden's "Phase 3" capital campaign. Once dollars are raised, it is estimated to take two years to build. A construction start date has not been set. The design of this outstanding Japanese garden was a 30th anniversary gift to the people of the City of Omaha from Mr. Yuichi Kawai who has been involved with the Sister City relationship between Omaha and Shizuoka for many years.
To learn more and see additional photos from Japan, click here www.omaha.jp and then select “English” in the upper left-hand corner. Daily construction updates and photos are also available at www.geocities.jp/kohamajp/omaha/schedule/H170223/H170223.htm.
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