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Embassy of Canada, Tokyo

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Introduction

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Embassy of Canada, Tokyo

The Embassy of Canada, Tokyo is in Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.[1] The current building opened in May of 1991 and was designed by Japanese Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama.[2]

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History of the Property

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Herbert Marlerr was the first Canadian diplomatic representative in Japan, in charge of overseeing the design and construction of the first chancery and residence on the site.[3] In 1932 the land for a Canadian embassy was bought by Herbert Marlerr, he purchased 3 acres of land in Akasaka using 200,000 Canadian dollars of his own money.[4] Marlerr was able to purchase the land cheap because it was thought that the grounds were haunted by various ghosts.[5] In 1953, 1.3 acres of additional land was purchased.[6] During the 1970’s the Embassy was quickly expanding, with construction on the new embassy began in 1984.[7] The Embassy opened by in May of 1991 by Canadian Prime Minster Brian Mulroney. [8]

Design

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Design Concepts

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One of the first design ideas was to create a building in which would be a symbol of Canada within Japan, showcasing both cultures.[9] With another concept of having a building expressing belonging, connectedness, and human spirit.[10] To expand on the idea of human spirit Moriyama thought the symbolism of a tree house within the city would best represent this idea.[11] The architect hoped it would surface nostalgic memories and idealisms for visitors.[12] To symbolize a tree house there are levels within the building acting as tree branches.[13] These branches were then named after Ikebana, form of a flower arrangement, with ten representing heaven, chi to represent earth, and jin to represent man.[14] The top floors of the embassy located underneath the roof represent ten, while the leased offices spaces represent chi, and the entrance and main floor of the embassy represents jin.[15]

Design Elements

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When announcing the Tokyo embassy project, the goal was to build an embassy in which wouldn't cost money for Canadian citizens.[16] The Mitsubishi Trust and the Banking Corporation was chosen to be in charge of the projects finances, design, and construction.[17] Mitsubishi in exchange would receive all the revenue from the leasable commercial spaces in the embassy until they obtained the money they invested.[18]

When designing factors like earthquakes and how to secure the building were heavily researched.[19] Many tests simulating the affect an earthquake, like the 1923 Tokyo earthquake, were conducted to examine the strength of the building.[20] The is only one direct entrance into the embassy and lobby space is on the fourth floor, one must enter by ascending a set of escalators outside of the building.[21] The main door and some windows are from the original chancery built in the 1930's.[22]

The embassy is seven stories tall, made of concrete and granite facing.[23] The program layout is split into two functions, the embassy on the top floors and with the leased office spaces located on the bottom half.[24]

Behind the embassy is a private residential area of the imperial household[25]. The building was designed to be wide at the base to prevent pedestrians from seeing into the residence.[26]

To respect the imperial gardens, the roof of the embassy is slanted to minimize the shadow the building would cast on the gardens.[27] The maximum depth a shadow can be cast on the grounds is 10 meters for only two hours of the day.[28]

While most of the building is private there are certain places visitors can see like the Gardens, Prince Takamando Memorial Gallery, Oscar Peterson Theatre, and E.H Norman Library.[29] On average the embassy receives around 10,000 visitors a year.[30]

Gardens

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On the main floor of the embassy there is a zen garden designed by Shunmyo Majuno.[31] He is the head priest of the Zen temple in Yokoyama, who still practices the traditional garden design of ishitateso.[32] The stones used for the garden were used from the Hiroshima region.[33] The purpose of this garden was to symbolize the friendship between the two countries, showcasing the Canadian terrain from coast to coast.[34] In the garden are three pyramid shaped rocks in which show the mountains bordering the Canadian shield’s western edge.[35] An Inukshuk created by Kananginak Pootoogook from Cape Dorset, is located the far-right hand side of the garden.[36] The neighbouring Takahashi Korekiyo Memorial Garden was used as a shakkei, the concept of a borrowed view, when designing the garden.[37] This creates a feeling of being detached from the city, allowing one to be immersed within the treetops.[38]

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The Prince Takamando Memorial Gallery is located on the second basement level with 7800 square feet of exhibition space.[39] It exhibits Canadian works like paintings, sculptures, photographs, textiles, and other artwork and designs.[40] Some of the exhibits included were, Glenn Gould in Photos & Movies, Travel Prints: The Beginning of Innuit Prints & Japan, and the Canadian Olympic Commemorative Coins.[41] The gallery received its name from a previous commemorative event in which honored Prince Takamado.[42]

Oscar Peterson Theatre

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The Oscar Peterson Theater is located on level B2 and has 233 seats in which showcases concerts, screenings, lectures/seminars, and conferences.[43] The room was inspired by the early Noh theatre, where in the 17th century actors performed under the open skies in the glow of torch light.[44] In order to replicate this there are metallic branches and leaves in which sparkle, leaving the impression of being under the stars.[45]

E.H Norman Library

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The E.H Normal Library is on the same floor as the Prince Takamando Gallery and the Oscar Peterson Theatre.[46] The library houses over 15,000 books in Japanese, English, and French.[47] It is the largest Canadian research library in Asia.[48] Within the collection there are a wide variety of Japanese novels, books on Japanese arts and crafts, Japanese sports, travel guides, journals related to Canada & Japan, films, as well as local and Canadian newspapers.[49] The library is generally used the Japanese who are doing research on Canada and, the Embassy staff who need any information regarding Japan.[50] One of the goals when designing this library was to have a space in which is well lit and relaxing.[51]

In May of 2001, the library was named the E.H. Norman Library.[52]

Other Art

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Within the embassy are various other art pieces in which reference Japanese and Canadian culture.[53] There is a bronze sculpture designed by Ted Bieler called ‘Wave Breaking’ in which references the rocky shores of the Atlantic coast.[54] ‘Wave’ by Maryon Kantaroff is another bronze sculpture representing the Pacific Ocean, connecting the two cultures of Japan and Canada.[55] Inside the embassy is ‘The Carved Glass Wall’ by Warren Carther.[56] The piece shows the co-existence of nature and technology, and how it relates to the relationship between Japan and Canada.[57]

Awards

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For the design Raymond Moriyama was awarded Japan Architects Association Top Honour Award, Shimizu Corporation President’s Award, Architectural Institute of Japan: Architecture of the Year, and Art Directors Club of Toronto Gold Award.[58] In November 2003 he was granted with Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.[59] Then presented with this award in January the following year by Takashi Koezuka.[60]

  1. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  2. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  3. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  4. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  5. ^ Nichols, Mark. "Elegance in Tokyo: Maclean's: SEPTEMBER 19,1988." Maclean's | The Complete Archive. September 19, 1988. Accessed March 01, 2021. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/9/19/elegance-in-tokyo.
  6. ^ Nichols, Mark. "Elegance in Tokyo: Maclean's: SEPTEMBER 19,1988." Maclean's | The Complete Archive. September 19, 1988. Accessed March 01, 2021. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/9/19/elegance-in-tokyo.
  7. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  8. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  9. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  10. ^ Creighton, Millie. "A Tree House in Tokyo: Reflections on Nikkei, Citizenship, Belonging, Architecture, and Art on the 75th Anniversary of Japanese American and Japanese Canadian Internment." Taylor Francis Online, August 24, 2017. Accessed February 28, 2021.
  11. ^ Creighton, Millie. "A Tree House in Tokyo: Reflections on Nikkei, Citizenship, Belonging, Architecture, and Art on the 75th Anniversary of Japanese American and Japanese Canadian Internment." Taylor Francis Online, August 24, 2017. Accessed February 28, 2021.
  12. ^ Creighton, Millie. "A Tree House in Tokyo: Reflections on Nikkei, Citizenship, Belonging, Architecture, and Art on the 75th Anniversary of Japanese American and Japanese Canadian Internment." Taylor Francis Online, August 24, 2017. Accessed February 28, 2021.
  13. ^ "1991 – Embassy of Canada – Moriyama & Teshima Architects." Architecture Tokyo. March 26, 2017. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://architecturetokyo.wordpress.com/2017/03/26/1991-embassy-of-canada-moriyama-teshima-architects/.
  14. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  15. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  16. ^ Nichols, Mark. "Elegance in Tokyo: Maclean's: SEPTEMBER 19,1988." Maclean's | The Complete Archive. September 19, 1988. Accessed March 01, 2021. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/9/19/elegance-in-tokyo.
  17. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  18. ^ Nichols, Mark. "Elegance in Tokyo: Maclean's: SEPTEMBER 19,1988." Maclean's | The Complete Archive. September 19, 1988. Accessed March 01, 2021. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/9/19/elegance-in-tokyo.
  19. ^ News, Kyodo. "Canadian Architect Moriyama Says Japanese Roots Shaped His Aesthetic." Kyodo News. December 07, 2019. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/12/41e1785ce128-feature-canadian-architect-says-japanese-roots-shaped-his-aesthetic.html.
  20. ^ News, Kyodo. "Canadian Architect Moriyama Says Japanese Roots Shaped His Aesthetic." Kyodo News. December 07, 2019. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/12/41e1785ce128-feature-canadian-architect-says-japanese-roots-shaped-his-aesthetic.html.
  21. ^ Creighton, Millie. "A Tree House in Tokyo: Reflections on Nikkei, Citizenship, Belonging, Architecture, and Art on the 75th Anniversary of Japanese American and Japanese Canadian Internment." Taylor Francis Online, August 24, 2017. Accessed February 28, 2021.
  22. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  23. ^ Nichols, Mark. "Elegance in Tokyo: Maclean's: SEPTEMBER 19,1988." Maclean's | The Complete Archive. September 19, 1988. Accessed March 01, 2021. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/9/19/elegance-in-tokyo.
  24. ^ "Canadian Embassy Tokyo." Moriyama & Teshima Architects. January 31, 2019. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://mtarch.com/projects/canadian-embassy/.
  25. ^ Nichols, Mark. "Elegance in Tokyo: Maclean's: SEPTEMBER 19,1988." Maclean's | The Complete Archive. September 19, 1988. Accessed March 01, 2021. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/9/19/elegance-in-tokyo.
  26. ^ Nichols, Mark. "Elegance in Tokyo: Maclean's: SEPTEMBER 19,1988." Maclean's | The Complete Archive. September 19, 1988. Accessed March 01, 2021. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/9/19/elegance-in-tokyo.
  27. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  28. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  29. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  30. ^ "Canadian Embassy Tokyo." Moriyama & Teshima Architects. January 31, 2019. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://mtarch.com/projects/canadian-embassy/.
  31. ^ Mansfield, Stephen. "Canada's Hanging Garden of Stone in Japan." The Japan Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/10/30/environment/canadas-hanging-garden-of-stone-in-japan/.
  32. ^ Mansfield, Stephen. "Canada's Hanging Garden of Stone in Japan." The Japan Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/10/30/environment/canadas-hanging-garden-of-stone-in-japan/.
  33. ^ Mansfield, Stephen. "Canada's Hanging Garden of Stone in Japan." The Japan Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/10/30/environment/canadas-hanging-garden-of-stone-in-japan/.
  34. ^ Mansfield, Stephen. "Canada's Hanging Garden of Stone in Japan." The Japan Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/10/30/environment/canadas-hanging-garden-of-stone-in-japan/.
  35. ^ Mansfield, Stephen. "Canada's Hanging Garden of Stone in Japan." The Japan Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/10/30/environment/canadas-hanging-garden-of-stone-in-japan/.
  36. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  37. ^ Mansfield, Stephen. "Canada's Hanging Garden of Stone in Japan." The Japan Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/10/30/environment/canadas-hanging-garden-of-stone-in-japan/.
  38. ^ Mansfield, Stephen. "Canada's Hanging Garden of Stone in Japan." The Japan Times. October 30, 2011. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2011/10/30/environment/canadas-hanging-garden-of-stone-in-japan/.
  39. ^ "カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー." カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー. March 17, 2020. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/events-evenements/gallery-galerie.aspx?lang=jpn&menu_id=81.
  40. ^ "カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー." カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー. March 17, 2020. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/events-evenements/gallery-galerie.aspx?lang=jpn&menu_id=81.
  41. ^ "カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー." カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー. March 17, 2020. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/events-evenements/gallery-galerie.aspx?lang=jpn&menu_id=81.
  42. ^ "カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー." カナダ大使館 高円宮記念ギャラリー. March 17, 2020. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/events-evenements/gallery-galerie.aspx?lang=jpn&menu_id=81.
  43. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  44. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  45. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  46. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  47. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  48. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  49. ^ Skye, Timothy D. "Bringing Canada to Japan: Experiences with an Embassy Library." Logos 7, no. 3 (1996): 226-30. doi:10.2959/logo.1996.7.3.226.
  50. ^ Skye, Timothy D. "Bringing Canada to Japan: Experiences with an Embassy Library." Logos 7, no. 3 (1996): 226-30. doi:10.2959/logo.1996.7.3.226.
  51. ^ Skye, Timothy D. "Bringing Canada to Japan: Experiences with an Embassy Library." Logos 7, no. 3 (1996): 226-30. doi:10.2959/logo.1996.7.3.226.
  52. ^ Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada. "Welcome to the E.H. Norman Library of the Embassy of Canada in Japan." Welcome to the E.H. Norman Library of the Embassy of Canada in Japan. March 17, 2020. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/japan-japon/library-bibliotheque/index.aspx?lang=eng.
  53. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  54. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  55. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  56. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  57. ^ Embassy of Canada, Tokyo Tour Guide. Tokyo, Japan.
  58. ^ Moriyama & Teshima: Architecture as a Work of Life. Tokyo: Process Architecture, 1992.
  59. ^ Canadian Architect. "Raymond Moriyama Receives Award From Emperor of Japan." Canadian Architect. February 04, 2004. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.canadianarchitect.com/raymond-moriyama-receives-award-from-emperor-of-japan/.
  60. ^ Canadian Architect. "Raymond Moriyama Receives Award From Emperor of Japan." Canadian Architect. February 04, 2004. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://www.canadianarchitect.com/raymond-moriyama-receives-award-from-emperor-of-japan/.
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