2012年03月27日

Art in the Park

The other day I strolled into Takamatsu's Chuo Koen, which translates as "Central Park". I often go there when I"m downtown.

The park on a gray day in March

1Art in the Park

Although it's nice, it doesn't look like anything special and, of course, it can't compete with the famous park of the same name in New York. Still, it serves as a haven for many office workers and businessmen who come here to eat their lunches.

Art in the Park

In spring and summer, it makes a great picnic site, especially with these great wading spots for the kids.

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

But what is really surprising is the art to be found within the grounds. With Takamatsu being the home of Aji granite and some of the best stonemasons in the country, there is a lot of great stone art.

Like this

Art in the Park

Ofr course, not everyone sees stone as art. For some, stones are just great substitutes for sports lockers.

Art in the Park

The park is also a treasure trove of high quality contemporary sculpture by local and semi-local artists such as...
"Sanuki" by Hayami Shiro, a work that reminds me a bit of Japanese rock gardens, where you can never see all the stones at once.

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

and "Well-Spring" by Yamada Masaji

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

The number of works has increased over the years with the most recent additions being three pieces of Isamu Noguchi* Play Equipment, installed in 2010. What a treat to be allowed to play on art!

"Octetra"

Art in the Park

Inside looking out

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

"Play Sculpture"

Art in the Park

Which feels a bit like riding on the back of a serpent.

Art in the Park


"Seesaw"

Art in the Park

Art in the Park

And that's just a taste of what's there to discover.

The park is actually a symbol of peace and the city's rebirth from the ashes of World War II. For centuries, the land belonged to a major temple but this, along with most of downtown Takamatsu, was burned to the ground in July 1945 when the city was firebombed. When the war ended a month later, the site was set aside for parkland. It was used as a ballpark for almost forty years. Then, in 1985, it was turned into Central Park, a place for citizens' to enjoy the fruits of their recovery efforts. It is now the site for many annual events and festivals.

* Isamu Noguchi was an outstanding 20th century sculptor of mixed Japanese-American heritage. From 1969 until his death in 1988, he spent part of every year sculpting in his studio in Mure, on the east side of Takamatsu. The studio is now a museum and definitely worth a visit! (See http://www.noguchi.org/museum/japan for details.)



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Cathy Hirano キャシー ヒラノ
I've lived in Japan since 1978. After graduating from a Japanese university with a BA in cultural anthropology in 1983, I worked as a translator in a Japanese consulting engineering firm in Tokyo for several years. My Japanese husband and I moved to Takamatsu in 1987 to raise our two children in a slower-paced environment away from the big city pressures. We've never regretted it. I work as a freelance translator and interpreter and am involved in a lot of community work, including volunteering for Second Hand, a local NGO that supports educational and vocational training initiatives in Cambodia, and for the Takamatsu International Association. I love living in Takamatsu.

この記事へのコメント
I should really look at Chuo Koen in more details. Every time I cross it (which is quite rarely I must admit), I barely pay attention to all the details, and it is indeed more interesting than I give it credit for.
Thanks Cathy for this post.
Posted by David at 2012年03月31日 22:59
Nice to hear from you, David! It's a nice place to take a bento if you're downtown.
Posted by cathy at 2012年03月31日 23:36
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