Here at he headquarters of UNESCO in Paris, the Japanese American, Isamu Noguchi, designed a place of human beauty, a place of sacred beauty.
Called the "Jardain de la Paix," it contains all the elements of traditional Japanese garden design: earth, water, fire, wind and space. The colour green, rocks, trees, bushes, flowing streams, pools of quiet water, cascading water. wood and stone benches for contemplation, path-ways for walking, stone lanterns, a stage for Noh theatre performance and a raised platform for outdoor tea.
What makes this garden so different, is it's obvious message of peace. For example, the very tallest stone has a carving of the ancient kanji for "WA" -- harmony. This is the very first word of Shotoku Taishi's Constitution from 1400 years ago. The first words are: "Harmony in the kingdom is of the utmost precious-ness." This kanji is then reflected in the pool of water below. "WA" is also the first of the four principles of the Way of Tea Chado--harmony, respect, purity, tranquility.
What makes this garden so different, is it's obvious message of peace. For example, the very tallest stone has a carving of the ancient kanji for "WA" -- harmony. This is the very first word of Shotoku Taishi's Constitution from 1400 years ago. The first words are: "Harmony in the kingdom is of the utmost precious-ness." This kanji is then reflected in the pool of water below. "WA" is also the first of the four principles of the Way of Tea Chado--harmony, respect, purity, tranquility.
The second example is the space behind this peace fountain; a place for contemplation designed by Tadao Ando. Large granite stones, once part of the bombing of Hiroshima, make up the floor of this open space. Today a constant flow of water washes over these once radiated paving stones.
The third example is the way Mr. Noguchi connected the Jardain de la Paix to the main buildings of UNESCO. The target for the B-25 bomber crew over Nagasaki was a christian church, and the gathering place for the recent underground christians in the village of UraKami Nagasaki. Very little remains from this church: one of the Angelus bells from France, a few very scorched statues, a small part of the wall. And...a small stone carving in very good condition, sculpted by Laura Garcia Vitoria, this Angel of Peace is mounted on the wall, in an alcove space that resembles the tokonoma in a Japanese tea house. With stone benches in front for viewing and self- reflection. It was here that Yuko and Pascal and kids offered "A Bowl of Tea for Peace into the Four Directions."
This Peace Garden is maybe not so easy to enter. For us, it was very difficult. Location is 7 Place de Fontenoy, near Tour Eifel, close to Metro St Franois Xavier. Please check www.unesco.org/visit/jardin/index
Please also check www. shotoku-an.org "KOSMOS"
This Peace Garden is maybe not so easy to enter. For us, it was very difficult. Location is 7 Place de Fontenoy, near Tour Eifel, close to Metro St Franois Xavier. Please check www.unesco.org/visit/jardin/index
Please also check www. shotoku-an.org "KOSMOS"