Is anything happening with the torii?  The Seward Park Torii is nearing completion! At long last, on Wednesday August 15, 2018, fences were put up to mark off the construction site on the north side of the Seward Park entrance circle. The tree for the kasagi and nuki (crosspieces) was cut by LS Cedar and is ready to go. Basalt hashira (columns) from Eastern Washington are still to being worked to the right dimensions and finish. Unfortunately, the Covid19 pandemic has resulted in further delays. Completion is currently estimated for the end of June, but additional pandemic-related delays are not unlikely. We reached our goal of $315K to build the Torii in 2017. and Seattle Parks
and Recreation took over the project to oversee the
construction. They even have a page for us:
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/seward-park-torii-gate Our plans for an opening celebration are on hold due to the pandemic. Even if the torii is completed this summer, we do not know when it will be safe to gather for a celebration at this point. Keep watch for updates and possible celebration in the fall of 2020 or sring of 2021. We look forward to seeing you there, whenever we are able to celebrate. Donate! hereSeward 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. 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 torii will be located close to the site of its predecessor on the north side of the Seward Park Entrance Circle. 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 on our 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 The Tateuchi Foundation Stim Bullitt Parks Excellence FundMimi 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 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!  |
