Even though our visit to the Taniguchi Gardens was a couple of months ago, I still remember everything. I was a little anxious on the car ride there because I did not know what to expect. So many images flashed through my mind as I looked out the car window, but my imagination did not even come close to the beauty of the Taniguchi Oriental Gardens.The first place we visisted was the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which was found by following the dinosaur feet along the fence. At the beginning of the path there was a huge sign that read "Hartman Prehistoric Garden." Then the path led us to the right, which was made of sand 
and rocks that I could feel everytime I took a step. I was surrounded by flowers and green plants as walked along the perfectly aligned path. We stopped at a little turn in the path that allowed us to look over to water and see a dinosaur statue in the middle. The dinosaur was not overbearing but the correct size to portray its presence during Prehistoric times. Before leaving this particular garden, we ran into the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. I loved the cascading water hit the stream of water below it; it was so peaceful and different from the bodies of water I am use to seeing. The Hartman Prehistoric Garden made a lasting impression on me and made eager to see what "working feverishly for 18 long months without a salary" could produce (767).
and rocks that I could feel everytime I took a step. I was surrounded by flowers and green plants as walked along the perfectly aligned path. We stopped at a little turn in the path that allowed us to look over to water and see a dinosaur statue in the middle. The dinosaur was not overbearing but the correct size to portray its presence during Prehistoric times. Before leaving this particular garden, we ran into the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. I loved the cascading water hit the stream of water below it; it was so peaceful and different from the bodies of water I am use to seeing. The Hartman Prehistoric Garden made a lasting impression on me and made eager to see what "working feverishly for 18 long months without a salary" could produce (767).Walking all around the gardens and looking at the beuatiful architecture I couldn't help but to feel the p
eacefulness that filled the air. It seemed as if all of the flowers and structures blended in with each other and all of the bodies of water flowed with each other. Another feature of the gardens that stuck with me was the bamboo pipe we came across as we crossed the bridge. I washed my hands in the "pure, clean water splashing from [the] bamboo pipe" hoping to have "a deeper appreciation of the garden-the symbol of peace" (769).
eacefulness that filled the air. It seemed as if all of the flowers and structures blended in with each other and all of the bodies of water flowed with each other. Another feature of the gardens that stuck with me was the bamboo pipe we came across as we crossed the bridge. I washed my hands in the "pure, clean water splashing from [the] bamboo pipe" hoping to have "a deeper appreciation of the garden-the symbol of peace" (769).Isamu Taniguchi's intention of creating the gardens was to provide a peaceful alternative to the turmoil that was going on during the late 1900s. As an Asian American, Mr. Taniguchi faced racial stigmas as well as other minorities during the years after WWII. Being an Oriental, he was personally touched by the devastation caused by the atomic bombs that struck Hiroshima and Nagasaki and saw how individuals lost their entire families. The Taniguchi Oriental Gardens was not only a gift to the city of Austin but a way for him to honor his Oriental heritage.
Gardens and parks come in all different sizes and no two are the same. They all provide an open space that doesn't force things upon you but contain objects that brings people together. In gardens and parks, there are benches and other accommodations that are in place to unite individuals. By Taniguchi creating a garden, he is showing that he wants people to come together and deal with turmoil of the times together in a peaceful manner
No comments:
Post a Comment