Fukushima - the story of a new garden

THE FUKUSHIMA GARDEN IN HOLLAND PARK

On11^th March 2011 a massive earthquake caused a tsunami to strike theeastern seaboard of Japan – particularly the Fukushima Prefecture. This naturaldisaster and consequent human tragedy led to a near cataclysmic melt-down ofnuclear power stations in the Fukushima region. Although nearly 2,000 peopleare known to have died, millions of people across Japan were directly andindirectly affected. Offers of assistance poured in from around the world – butamongst the first were those from the United Kingdom.

On17^th May 2012 their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan madea private visit to Holland Park prior to officially thanking the British peopleat a diplomatic reception in the Japanese Embassy for their compassion andpractical support in response to the disaster.

Somedays later, the embassy’s First Secretary, Kita Katsuhiko put the problem to me– where to plant some Rhododendrons and specifically R. brachycarpum – in Holland Park as an expression of gratitude forthe assistance rendered to the Japanese people. This particular Rhododendron iscommon in the Fukushima region. I balked at the idea of adding to the KyotoGarden so soon after last year’s major refurbishment and suggested an areabehind the black bamboos. As Yasuo Kitayama was expected to return shortly fromKyoto, we agreed to put the proposal to him - and dually did. However he wasnot particularly enthused by the idea.

Earlyon the second day of his visit we again discussed the idea. Was I sure I wantedthese planted “at the back of the bamboos?” he asked.

“Yes”,I replied, unless of course he had any other better idea.

“Aback garden?” he asked somewhatincredulously.  

“Oh!No!” I replied before asking if perhaps he would rather design a small gardenor border to show off the Rhododendrons.

Hesmiled, and having made his catch, told me to return that afternoon after he’dgiven it some more thought.

I returnedas instructed to find the normally composed Kitayama-san in full creative flow:he wanted steps over here, this tree moved over there, rocks – lots of rocks,and grass. “Yes! More hydrangeas and, please, extend that hedge ....” The list was demanding and the trees no soonerplanted than they were being up-rooted and moved again!

Overthe following days his three assistants, the gardeners and fitters worked like Trojansas he remodelled the site of the original works yard into a fitting memorialgarden under the working title of the “Fukushima Extension”.

Visitorsfrom the embassy were quickly followed by others from the Fukushima PrefecturalAssociation, the Fukushima Minpo, and former residents of the region. A fewdays into the build, Kitayama and his team had to return home. However he left veryprecise descriptions of what he had intended the garden to look and feel likeand departed with the ominous warning: “I’ll be back in November to see howyou’ve done!” Work continued . . .

OnTuesday 24^th July two 2012 Olympic athletes (Izumi Kato – a swimmer andKatsuaki Susa – fly weight boxer), an agricultural worker (Koushi Fujita) andtwo school children (Kanami Ajima and Miyu Matsubara) from the FukushimaPrefecture plus the Head Gardener of Holland Park and two local school childrenofficially opened the garden in the presence of a very distinguished audiencethat included: the His Excellency, the Japanese Ambassador; Mr Masato Abe,  Director of the Fukushima Prefecture Government;Cllr. Lady Borwick, the Deputy Mayor); Mr Yoshio Mitsuyama (Chairman of theFukushima Prefectural Association in the UK), Mr Seiich Nihei (Senior ManagingDirector, Fukushima Minpo) as well as senior officers from the Japanese Embassy,the Friends and Members of the Council.

Thegarden is probably best entered from the south. The left hand gate post has acalligraphic plaque (donated by the artist Kashuu) that reads Fukushima Garden.The garden is walked through via a footpath that evokes a dry river bed (hencethe pebbles) - tumbling in the north - west over the rapids (or steps) from theKyoto pond and in the east, from the hills and mountains beyond.

TheRhododendrons currently planted are R. x hybridus‘Cunningham’s White’, which is the closest variety that we could find to R. brachycarpum – the white floweringnative of the region. We did manage to find seven rather poorly specimens ofthe latter being grown by a Scottish nursery and these have been temporarilyplanted behind the screen further up the hillside. In future years it should bepossible to replace the 2012 hybrids. The flowers are interesting because thebuds are pink at first before giving way to white.

Themotto of the Fukushima Prefecture is “Never give up” and that is perhaps bestevoked at the entrance by the three “growing stones” that rise up from theground. The benches that were also donated by the Prefecture have beendeliberately placed on the grass to make the most of the various views acrossthe garden - including the shakkei orborrowed landscapes beyond its immediate boundaries. We will put more permanentbases in place in time.

Visitorsare being currently permitted to enjoy the garden in contact with the lawn. Wewill review this from time to time, but to date it appears to have beensuccessful; it has also helped the security guard who now has an alternative areaoutside of – but near - the Kyoto Garden to direct people towards.

Thecrack underneath one of the benches looking over the Kyoto pond has been enlargedand painted blood red to evoke an earthquake ... not too many people seemcomfortable sitting astride it!

Finalthoughts: the Fukushima Garden has been designed as a commemorative garden tomark the gratitude of the Japanese people for the support of the British peoplein an hour of great need. There is much to gain from compassionate responses tonatural events and accordingly the bonds with the people of Fukushima that bindall of us associated with this garden will indeed grow stronger.

“Together, we make the world” (Thich Nhat Hanh)