The pursuit of progress has left us inherently empty
This concept of learning to appreciate what IS, and giving up everything to be HAD is an interesting one. It goes to the heart of the Western mindset, which is concerned primarily with progress. This is why this is such an expansionist culture. There is always a hunger, a curiosity, a desire to learn, to move forward, to explore and unfortunately, to conquer. Along with the urge to move forward, there is a thirst to OWN. The desire to rule is tied with the idea that possession is power. THe thought that the more you own to your name, the more powerful you are. This Taker attitude is completely opposed to Leaver culture, which is content to allow coexistence. Rather than conquering, the Leaver philosophy teaches that every sentient being is an equal contribution and member of the planet. Power comes from wisdom and knowledge, from earning respect based on one's actions and intellect. Not from wealth of land/money/slaves/accessories/homes/cars or any other possessions. The truth is, this type of expansion is empty. Possessions have no spiritual connections. They cannot touch your heart, they cannot fulfill any need for inner peace, because all it is is STUFF. Stuff that means nothing. Unfortunately, we are killing off the one thing that CAN fill our emptiness: the planet. We are getting rid of nature, we are killing people. We are waging wars, we are consuming all of our resources. We are speeding up the process of death. This expansionist attitude clearly is not succeeding.
These plans were in Taniguchi's soul
As an architecture student, and INFJ person, this is intriguing to me. What may surprise many people not familiar with architecture is that a lot of it is internal. The whole idea of architecture is to solve a problem in the best way possible, in the most graceful way possible. We are taught to enhance experiences with our creations. THerefore, we must be very very in tune with human nature and emotion. We have to consider how a person would feel in a certain space, in a certain climate, in a certain environment, surrounded by a certain color. Then we must develop these internal feelings and express them externally through models, drawings, and our creations themselves - but these will ultimately affect not only the external, physical shell of the person experiencing the landscape/building, but the internal, emotional core. Therefore, I am surprised that Taniguchi managed to complete this project without even creating any sort of blueprint or plan. Usually, drawings and sketches and models and all of that is thought to improve the design process and facilitate growth in the project, by bringing it outside of the designer's head and into the hands of outside critics. However, as an INFJ, I totally understand, because personally, I'm not much of a planner. Yes, to some degree, but I'm more of a flow-er. I have an idea in my head, and I just let it flow out of me - when I write, draw, paint, whatever. I haven't quite worked out my design process yet, but the other creative things I do, they just happen. Apparently I even flow or float when I walk, and I've always been a laid back, "go with the flow" type of person. I completely understand what it is to have the creativity be inside your soul.
"By observing the genuine peaceful nature of the garden, I believe that we should be able to knock on the door of our conscience, which once was obliged to be the slave of the animal nature in man rather than of the humanity which resides on the other side of his heart." (215)
The way I see it, there are two fundamental approaches to architecture. One is to create bold, beautiful, otherworldy, futuristic structures that completely stand out from the environment. Something that works in tandem with the environment, but doesn't make any effort to blend in. Statement making architecture, if you will. The other approach is to take a look at what you are given, prioritize the environment, and build a structure that nestles right into the background. Its not necessarily that its boring, but that it coexists with its surroundings. Think Romans versus Japanese. The Romans didn't care a whit for the environment. This was where the Colosseum should be built, so that was where it'd be built. Who cares if there was a lake there? The Japanese, on the other hand, built into beautiful landscapes without attempting to conquer it. I used to be a fan of the former style, but am now a devoted adherent of the latter. It embodies the idea of being at peace with the world. I think this is what the peaceful nature of the garden speaks to. The peaceful nature of man. Not the belligerent one.
"...Now that we are in the world of the suicide bomber that logic is threatened and "radioactivity" once again becomes a terrifying word." (216)
Unfortuantely, the belligerent nature of man doesn't seem interested in disappearing. Probably as long as we are interested in expansion, in possession, in conquering and degrading and owning, humans will face these fears and problems.
"Isamu soon grew to love his Mother Tree, and to depend on her for companionship and encouragement. Day after day she told him to keep digging, especially on days when he was ready to give up!" (223)
The nurturing nature of the tree
Fortunately, the nurturing, motherly nature of the planet will always be a force of hope and inspiration. A source of spirituality and peace.
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