Seward Park Torii Project  artist rendition of new torii, by Ted Weinberg For 50 years the entrance to Seward Park was distinguished by a 26-foot tall torii. Now the Friends of Seward Park, with support from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, the Seattle Parks Foundation, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and many other community members, are working to build a replacement for the former neighborhood icon. Seward Park Torii Project Approaches Full Funding The Seward Park Torii Project received a large boost in funding at the beginning of March when it received a donation of 1000 shares of Starbucks stock valued at $58,700 from Tsuchino and Mike Forrester. An additional investment of $30,000 was received from the Stim Bullitt Parks Excellence Fund. Tsuchino Forrester, who with her husband Mike, is active
in cultural affairs in the Japanese-American community, saved an article
about the torii project for many months before deciding she wanted to
create a lasting legacy by helping to fund the torii. The Stim Bullitt Parks Excellency Fund was established with bequest from Stim Bullitt to the Seattle Parks Foundation, which uses the fund to support community-led projects in Seattle parks each year. We now have more than 80% funding, and the Friends expect to complete fundraising and start construction by this fall. Please help us close this gap: Donate! here Watch the "Seward Park Torii Story" link to documentary The history of the Seward Park Torii unfolds in this documentary created by John Thorpe and Janis Medley in 2015. This oral history project was funded by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. What is the plan for the new torii? With a planning grant from the Department of Neighborhoods, the Friends of Seward Park hired landscape architectural firm Murase Associates, working with Takumi Company, to gather community input on the design of the torii. Community participants chose a design that honors the original Seward Park torii, addresses concerns about long-term maintenance, and reflects current community values and the wilderness character of the park. The columns (hashira) of the torii will be made of natural basalt columns from central Washington. The lintel (kasagi) will be made of a single minimally worked piece of western red cedar. The crosspiece (nuki) will be a worked piece of wood that contrasts with the kasagi. Like the original Seward Park torii, this design takes inspiration from the famous 'floating' torii of Itsukushima shrine at Miyajima, Japan. The hashira are tapered upward like the camphor trees that form the hashira at Miyajima. The hashira will have stone texturing influenced by the stonework of Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, who created the sculpture Black Sun in Volunteer Park. The torii will be located close to the site of its predecessor on the north side of the Seward Park Entrance Circle. Construction Drawings In March geotechnical studies were conducted at the future torii site to help design the footings to support the new torii. After exploring different options for stone, we are currently completing construction drawings for the torii and ADA accessible pathway. Do you remember the original torii? Our oral history project is wrapped up, but there is still time to tell us your memories of the torii. Send us your memories, your impressions, or tell us why you support the new torii. It doesn't have to be fancy or more than a sentence. Send us an email to sewardparkfriends@gmail.com or post a comment onour Facebook page (click the icon below). How can I help?
How can I learn more? Thank you, Friends of Seward Park  | Original Seward Park Torii  Seward Park Torii, 1935-1986 Photograph: Seward Park, 1935, Seattle Municipal Archives, Architect: Kichio Allen Arai Carpenter: Kichisaburo Ishimitsu Major Donors  Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods Matching Fund Award Tsuchino and Mike Forrester Stim Bullitt Parks Excellence Fund Mimi Kraus Estate Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation The John L. O'Brien Family Nintendo Company Supporters Friends of Seward Park Japanese Community Service Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington Japanese Queen Scholarship Organization Lakewood Seward Park Community Club Rainier Valley Historical Society Seattle Parks and Recreation Seattle Parks Foundation Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival Seattle Kishu Club Seward Park Audubon Center Wing Luke Museum Knute Berger, Journalist & author Rimban Castro, Seattle Buddhist Church Bruce Harrell, Council President Seattle Bob Hasegawa, State Senator, 11th District Tom Ikeda, Densho Project Sharon Tomiko Santos, State Representative, 37th District  the new torii is in collaboration with Seattle Parks Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation  New! Download a brochure! Torii Project Brochure: Please Donate! here Support our project with a torii T-shirt   Declare your participation in building the torii with a winning T-shirt from our kids' T-shirt design contest: "I maked dis". You'll find the winning kid's haiku on the back. Available in adult sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and youth sizes S, M , and L. To purchase your T-shirt, see our donation page or email sewardparkfriends@gmail.com T-shirts and other merchandise can also be found at the Seward Park Audubon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Boulevard, Seattle 98118. For more haiku, with commentary by haiku judge Michael Dylan Welch of Haiku Northwest, choose "Haiku and T-Shirt Contest Winners and Honorable Mentions" from the menu on the left side of this page. Media Coverage City Living: Iconic Japanese torii to be restored Northwest Asian Weekly: Community to restore iconic Japanese gate in Seward Park Rainier Valley Post:: Community to restore iconic Japanese gate For more information about Seward Park of Seattle, visit www.sewardpark.org Please like us on our Facebook page to see the latest news!  |
