Construction was not without challenges.

Photo 1: The site of the Main Gate posed a design challenge: it grades from higher on the west side to lower on the east side. This view, looking south at the west end of the gate, partly illustrates this issue. The challenge was this: the area under the wooden part of the wall could not sit at the same grade of the path, because the water draining off the wall’s roof would splash off the ground and spray water and dirt back up onto the wooden portion of the wall, greatly reducing longevity and aesthetic appeal. After consultation between the Gate’s builder, Masahiro Hamada and Kurisu sensei, it was determined that the wood needed to be elevated 18” above the spot where the water hit the ground.

Photo 2: Kurisu sensei’s solution was to build small sunken raked gravel gardens on both sides of the Gate’s west end. His sketch became the working plan for the area. The wooden part of the Gate wall would sit above the raked gravel on a stone wall, 18” above the raked gravel. Notice the word “same” at the top of the sketch with an arrow pointing to the other side.

Photo 3: Guided by Kurisu sensei, partly visible in the left side of this image, the small sunken garden begins to emerge. This type of stone wall, which sits upon a concrete foundation, is very difficult to build. It must be flat across the top and have a flush vertical face.

Photo 4: With the wall in place, the key focal boulder has been set. The Maple, Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’, now waits for the finishing touch of crushed white and black granite, samples of which you can see in this shot.

Photo 5: A couple years after the Gate’s completion things have come together, a harmonious meshing of art and function.

Next week we will look at the construction of the paved walkways and vertical stone work on and around the gate.