In the world of reality
the more beautiful a work of art, the longer we may be sure was the time
required to make it and the greater the number of different minds which
assisted in its development ~ Koizumi Yakumo
I dedicate this blog to Hayato Ogawa; a man
of imagery and loyalty in honouring his traditional roots.
The arrangement of a
natural setting is formed when an undeveloped landscape is perceived with
highly skilled vision, and representation of the elements. This is the case of
Thyme on 43rd that recently honoured its designer, Hayato Ogawa.
On August 12, of
this year, Hayato Ogawa of Ogawa Landscape Design, in Burnaby, British
Columbia was honoured as the 2013 BC Landscape Award of Excellence Winner
for “Thyme on 43rd.”
An esteemed award
that is not given every year, has been granted to Hayato, with the announcement
he is to receive the greatly revered Grand Award. This tribute is
granted when a project surpasses all other projects.
On September 19th
2013, the exceptional craftsmanship of Hayato’s designs will be acknowledged at
the Vancouver Convention Centre- during the CanWest Horticulture Show-2013
Landscape Awards presentation.
Behind every award
is the passion of a person who believed in their ideas. The visualization of
designer, Hayato Ogawa, can be viewed the same. Raised in Tokyo, his
traditional methods unfolded over years, of developing Thyme on 43rd.
Stepping onto the earth beneath his feet, he imagined every stone, piece of
bamboo, flowing streams and the Koi fish that would be bustling under the
cascading waterfall.
In order to prepare
for the application process of these distinguished awards, Hayato’s meticulous
efforts saw him draw the entire garden-front to back- by hand. The accuracy of
breathing life from the Japanese gardens unto paper was time-consuming and
extensive. Likewise, he was required to sort each flower, fauna and foliage by
categorized groups. A selection of photographs had to be picked and a caption
written along with each one. A submission of the garden in a meagre description
had to be included, which required a short word count. Meanwhile, the tight
deadline Hayato and the owner of Thyme on 43rd- Evelyn
Faulkner worked on, made for many restless nights.
The extraordinary efforts
of Hayato have been compensated with the previous awards mentioned. Yet, when I
sit immersed in the gardens- infused by the elements -I find it hard to imagine
what devotion it took to complete such a grand project.
Upon researching in
greater detail about the structure, flow and placement of a traditional
Japanese garden; I found myself captivated by the extra alliance of
spirituality. The divine correlation of the Japanese with their terrain and the
forces that are balanced in the environment reveals their desire to include
natural resources. Even the simplest arrangement of rocks is done with
foresight and precision. A grouping of three stones is favourable, with the
higher elevated rock usually symbolizing heaven, the medium rock refers to
civilization –the bridge between heaven and earth- and the smaller one is the
world.
For me, the personal
drawing to the energy felt amongst the gardens has enabled the flow of words as
I write in my novel. I see the crisp lines in the Azumaya gazebo I sit in;
amongst a sanctuary of bamboo, the picturesque feast of the elements unfolds…
in Hayato’s painting of nature with his designer hands.
I am honoured to
have the opportunity to go on a weekly basis to this sacred oasis. While my
purpose is to inscribe the chapters of my first novel, I have discovered a safe
haven for my grief. Much like the water and stone I am encircled with, the
unearthing of my own symmetry has seen my mourning come in ripples… instead of
waves.
The subsequent poem
by Stephanie Wilson reflects my feelings of amazing grace in loss, the
splendour of a Japanese Garden and the brilliance of an autumn day. Her blog
can be found at: http://www.stephcupoftea.blogspot.com
By T.L. Alton
Japanese Garden on an Autumn Day
11/8/12 ~Stephanie Wilson
The poem was the day, the quiet
The falling twirl of two leaves, entwined
Like lovers landing noisily; their dance the world
The path to myself and the red-gold hillside
The moss on the rocks and the cut-back iris
The fat, slow koi being coy with me
The bench that beckoned
Two cups of tea, one for me
And one for a soul awhile gone
We sat and then
We walked and then
She departed
Me, having said what I needed
Her, having been remembered
Each at peace
11/8/12 ~Stephanie Wilson
The poem was the day, the quiet
The falling twirl of two leaves, entwined
Like lovers landing noisily; their dance the world
The path to myself and the red-gold hillside
The moss on the rocks and the cut-back iris
The fat, slow koi being coy with me
The bench that beckoned
Two cups of tea, one for me
And one for a soul awhile gone
We sat and then
We walked and then
She departed
Me, having said what I needed
Her, having been remembered
Each at peace
Hi Tonya:
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your description of Thyme on 43rd. I am pleased that you are able to find peace here, setting aside your grief, if only for a short while to be refreshed by the sights and sounds of nature. It was my intention to create a place of solitude, the opportunity for visitors to enter "another world" once passing through the entrance gate. It is difficult for people in our busy and noisy world to find a quiet place to connect with themselves, to truly feel their feelings, this, I think is necessary for people to be healthy and deal with their grief, and stress.
I look forward to reading Under the Sitka Tree, and am happy to have a small part in your personal journey as well as your professional life.
Best wishes,
Evelyn Faulkner
Thyme on 43rd
what work this amazing landscaper does art work with stone earth & water . it must be quite a treat to spend time there the peace & sounds of the waterfall relaxes the soul
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