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| Today's picture looks almost exactly like the earlier picture! |
I also took more pictures of some other public art works:
The memorial to the first Japanese-American astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, who was born in Hawaii. He was one of the seven crew members on the space shuttle Challenger which exploded on January 28, 1986; all seven astronauts were killed:
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| Model of the Space Shuttle Challenger |
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| The plaque at the base of the memorial |
A few feet down from the above memorial, is the sculpture known as the Friendship Knot:
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| Friendship Knot |
Originally titled "Square Knot" by the artist, Shinkichi Tajiri, it was renamed the "Friendship Knot" when installed in its current location.
Across the street from the Friendship Knot is the memorial to Ninomiya Kinjiro Sontoku (1787-1856), known as the Peasant Sage, depicting him at about age 14, learning to read while carrying a load of firewood on his back:
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| The plaque that used to be on the memorial has been removed (I don't know why) |
A bit further on is the plaza near the Japanese Garden with the sculpture by Isamu Noguchi:
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| "To the Issei" |
According to what I read, it is meant to be a tribute to the first generation of Japanese who immigrated to America. It is composed of two 12' long basalt rocks. The horizontal rock suggests repose; the other rock is standing upright but slightly tilted to form a diagonal line that is a Japanese symbol for mankind. The chipped surface of each rock is meant to expose the inner texture of the basalt, reflecting a Japanese artistic tradition of slightly altering natural materials as a symbol of human presence. They are located on a pedestal that is supposed to be reminiscent of the terraced mounds raising Buddhist temples, and to the tumuli--the pre-historic burial mounds in Japan. The steps are oversized and designed to force people to climb the pedestal like a mountain.
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| From the back |
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| From the side |
One never knows who one might meet when out and about on the streets of downtown:
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| Elvis! |
After I came home from work, I took out the kitchen trash and the recycling to the bins and took the bins to the curb for pick up, tomorrow. Then, I had a cup of tea, called my daughter to check on her, and watched some TV (evening news and a travel documentary).
After that, Ihad dinner, emptied the dish drainer, washed today's dishes, put away some laundry, and cleaned the family room. Then, video chatted with daughter.
Monday's To Do List:
- Go to the office - DONE
- Take trash cans to the curb - DONE
- Family room - dust, vacuum - DONE
- Kitchen - sink, stove, counters, mop floor, fridge
Today, I am grateful for:
- A productive day at the office
- A safe commute to and from the office
- Leftovers from yesterday for lunch (Thai fried rice) and dinner (hoppers, fish curry)
- Sunny days in which to go for afternoon walks
- Being able to clean the family room
Tuesday's To Do List:
- Go to the office
- Attend afternoon meeting (will need to go for my walk, before that)
- Bring the trash cans in
- Kitchen - sink, stove, counters, mop floor, fridge
How was your Monday? Did you have a good start to your week? What are your plans for Tuesday?
It must be lovely to have such interesting places to head to for a walk. Much better than spending your lunch break at your desk or in the shops which is what a lot of people tend to do, myself included when I worked! xx
ReplyDeleteActually, I do eat at my desk, but then, head out for my walk, afterwards! Yes, there are plenty of shops, too, not to mention eating places, in this particular area, but I try to avoid them!
DeleteI don't mind if the photograph is similar, the Japanese garden is so beautiful. It looks a very calming space.
ReplyDeleteSo many fascinating sculptures, you can never be short of something to look at in your lunch break. X
Thanks, Jules. There is a stream running through the Japanese garden - it starts as a water fall and then, runs into a pond (and the water gets re-circulated). But, the first thing you notice as you approach the garden is the sound of running water, which I love! It drowns out the sound of the traffic nearby and people who might be talking in the plaza area. I could spend an hour or more there, just listening to the sound of that water!
DeleteThanks for sharing the pictures of your walk! I'd love to walk through a Japanese garden. My little brother went to horticulture school when he was younger and had several bonsai trees. He took the kids and I to visit a bonsai tree exhibit when we visited him in Paris. What patience one needs for this hobby! Some of the trees are older than 100 years old!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing Challenger take off and explode live on TV when I was still in France. It was so shocking and sad :( Back in 1986 I had no idea that year later I'd be studying in Florida and that a year after that, I'd marry an American and MOVE to Florida and be able to watch the space shuttles launch from my own backyard! I miss the space shuttle program.
My pleasure, Nathalie. You always share such lovely photos of your hikes through the state parks, I have to share my walks through the urban jungle! :D
DeleteI was at work, when the Challenger exploded. I think someone had a radio on and we listened to the broadcast. We were all in shock. Lucky you to have been able to watch the shuttle launches from your own backyard!
I think I like the friendship knot the best of the things you showed us today. However, they were all interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture is supposed to symbolize the friendship between the American and Japanese cultures.
DeleteVery fun and beautiful walk.. Elvis... I live about 45 minutes from Tupelo Ms.. which is where Elvis was born. lol
ReplyDeleteHope your having a good week.
Thank you, Judy. Oh, Elvis was my idol when I was growing up! Still enjoy listening to his songs!
DeleteI did not know there was a statue and memorial for Ellison Onizuka there. I grew up knowing his mother. She ran a small little shop in Holualoa Hawaii and I used to ride my bike there to buy candy as a young child. Ellison graduated from my high school and came back every year to give the graduation speech and help hand out our diplomas. I got to know him over all those years also since my mother was a teacher at the high school. He was an amazing man. I remember the day he died and seeing the images on TV of the Challenger disaster. I was in shock seeing someone that I knew and respected dying such a horrible death. My heart also went out to his mother back in Hawaii...she never recovered from losing her son.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Debbie! You know, I thought of you when I read the plaque on the memorial and it said he was born in Kona, Hawaii. I wondered if you knew of him! Small world, isn't it? :)
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