The Building of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo
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Community Information Paper No.40 September 2017 Translated/Issued by Azabu Regional City Office Edited by the Azabu Editing Office 5-16-45 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo, 106-8515 Tel: 03-5114-8812 (Rep.) Fax: 03-3583-3782 Please contact Minato Call for inquiries regarding Residents’ Life Support. Tel: 03-5472-3710 A community information paper created and edited by people who live in Azabu. A Baluster style architectural structure (supports shaped like flower bulbs or layered discs) was employed for the roof terrace and to the right and left of the entrance hall. A very regular square or rectangular design is emphasized with a lot of windows and columns at the front of the building. Photo provided by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo Fascinated by Artistic Azabu ⑬ The Building of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo The Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo is located in a quiet part of the Azabudai area, and it is similar to a magnificent palace in that it appears suddenly on high ground. There are not any adjacent houses or buildings to the site. The Embassy moved here from Yoyogi Uehara in July 2008. The former old conference building for the central government agencies (Chuokancho Godo Kaigisho) was completely renovated and transformed into this exotic and sophisticated embassy building. From the front, this building looks like a two-story building with a rooftop structure. However, viewed from the rear, the two office area basement floors are visible, revealing this to be a four-story building. On the other side of the rooftop structure (around the pole for the national flag) a small dome can be seen (photo taken in 2008). Photo provided by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo This work was created by Yar Taraky, and it portrays young people enjoying performing an Af- Entrance Hall: On the right-hand side is a hall named after “Maulana Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi Rumi,” a famous poet from H.E. Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, ambassador, is reading a book about the people who conducted the relocation project under the instruction of H.E. Mr. Amin, the former ambassador. Looking back at the time when the ghan traditional dance called “ATTAN.” There are several other paintings in the building, includ- the 13th century. The stairwell on the left side is a very popular photo spot. project was completed, he told us, “I remember this as a time when we had to overcome a lot of difficulties. ing one drawing of the “Stone Cave in the Bamiyan Valley”. However, it was an exciting time because we could see that our efforts were bearing fruit.” Symbols of the era Photo provided by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo are proudly displayed on the column behind him. The entrance hall, with its dazzling white plaster-coated walls, has thick beams selves in a Kotatsu (a foot warmer with a quilt over it) in winter. They feel great arranged at even intervals on the ceiling, which seem to draw visitors in rather in- affinity for our Far East island country that unexpectedly won the Russo-Japanese vitingly. As we entered the hall, the winding stairs to the dome at the top of the War. Since the Meiji Era, friendly relations have been fostered between us, with structure that were immediately visible to the right also struck us. On our left, there the tireless efforts of diplomats, the Afghan royal family, and Japanese Imperial is a hall with an impressive capacity of 300 people. family members. Many official visits (by soldiers, politicians, etc.) on both sides have further strengthened our bonds. In 1933, the Afghan Legation in Japan was The vivid and colorful carpet that lines the floor was specially made to order and established in Iikura, and this was later raised to the status of an embassy. In the sent directly from their home country of Afghanistan. The paintings hanging on late 90’s, the embassy was temporarily closed due to civil strife in their home the walls are also from Afghanistan, created by the Afghan painters Yar Taraky country, but it was reopened in 2002 when the conflict finally came to an end. This and Siddig Zhakfar, along with some others. These wonderful paintings, together year, the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan with the carpet, produce a remarkable ethnic atmosphere. From the terrace on the was held in Tokyo. roof, a magnificent view that includes the nearby Tokyo Tower can be enjoyed. In 2006, the consultant Mr. Kenichiro Murakami was asked to give advice about In the library on the basement floor, there is a collection of more than 4,000 books, the relocation of the new Embassy building by the Afghan Ambassador at the most in the Afghan official languages of Dari or Pashto, as well as some in English An Afghan traditional craftsman in Kabul Main carpets have the letters meaning time, H.E. Mr. Haron Amin, and other dignitaries. Mr. Murakami told us, “We and Japanese. Adorning the upper section of the four columns in each corner of the created this library door, with its impres- “The Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo” selected a building of universal design, but that also captures the true color and sive delicate craftwork. woven into it. room are various symbols showing four eras important in Afghan history (a Zoro- character of Afghanistan. The ultimate goal was to have the building be a lasting Photo provided by the Embassy of Af- astrian flowerpot, a Greco-Bactrian* torch, a Buddhist lotus, and an Islamic lattice symbol of the past and future friendship between Japan and Afghanistan”. The ghanistan in Tokyo pattern). This design is quite unique to Afghanistan, and it is also a hint at the fact staff members of the Embassy are proud of this country was once a very important this unique building; they say, “It has the and strategic point along the Silk Road. best functional beauty of all the Afghan Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Embassy buildings in the world”. This Central Asia, and for much of its history Embassy building was returned to Azabu (even from the prehistoric age), it was area after some ten years, and clearly dis- very influenced by the Mesopotamian plays the charm of Afghanistan. civilization to the West and the Indus *An area influenced by Greek culture that civilization to the South. The Great Ex- had become prosperous in the Bactria re- pedition of Alexander the Great formed gion around the 3rd century BC Hellenistic culture in this place. ● Data Collection Support � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Also in the distant past, Buddhism was Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo introduced to Japan through Afghanistan H.E. Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, ambassador from along the Silk Road. Afghans have Culture and Public Relations Officer other things in common with Japanese Ms. Allyson DIAZ Accounting and Administrative Affairs people that you might not expect, such as In a typical Afghan house, a carpet is placed on the floor for the family to sit together on the Mr. M. Ashraf BABURI In the formal reception space, the picture of the President of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani drinking green tea and warming them- carpet. The character and culture of Afghanistan is well represented here, with its low floor chairs Ahmadzai, is flanked by the national flag of Afghanistan on the right and the national flag of Japan on the left. Mr. Kenichiro Murakami, Consultant and small ethnic handicrafts on the table. (Data collected by Kyoko Ideishi, Yoshie Osawa, Misaho Kasho, Yukiko Takayanagi, Emi Yonezawa : Written by Kyoko Ideishi) Viewed clockwise from the From Father to Son: front, “Present Hospital Building,” “The Same Build- ing before Renovation,” A History of Three Generations of “Biography of Dr. Tokuma Suzuki, First-Generation President, which he wrote Hospital Presidents when he received the Fifth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure (at the age of 88),” and “Document Col- On the front page of Furukawabashi Hospital’s (Minami-Azabu 2-chome) bro- lection prepared at the time of the 90th anniversary of chure, there is a bold statement: “Our organization provides integrated elderly the establishment of the care and medical care services for a bright future.” I interviewed both the second- hospital.” generation and third-generation presidents, and I felt that their enter- prising spirit and forward vision lives on, having been passed down through the generations. Dr. Tatsuo Suzuki: “I was born on June 2, 1923 (the 12th year of Taisho). Six multiplied by 2 equals 12. This is quite easy to remember, don’t you think? My father was born on May 1, 1896 (the 29th year of Meiji). I have a picture of our Furukawabashi Hospital taken in 1924, immediately after the hospital opening. It was located in Shinbori- cho,* a little further away from the present location. The baby in his arms in this picture is me! The spirit of enterprise was quite strong in my father, and he want- ed more than what his family’s farming business had to offer. Although what he really wanted to be was a politician, he fi rst became a veterinarian. Unsatisfi ed "Azabu – A Human Story" with this, he then came to Tokyo to become a medical doctor. To do this, his parents (Upper Left) Statue of Dr. Tokuma Suzuki were generous enough to sell part of their farmland to cover his school fees. Eventually, (1896–1991), First-Generation President after my father had achieved a measure of success in the hospital business, he bought (Upper Center) Photo showing the Furukawabashi Surgery back this land and restored the farm to its previous condition.