“The Ishi-D¯Or¯O of Lotusland”
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LOTUSLAND NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS VOLUME 25 NO. 3 SUMMER 2016 “The Ishi-Dor¯ o¯ of Lotusland” LANTERNS IN THE JAPANESE GARDEN BY KATHY HULICK AND VIRGINIA HAYES LTHOUGH MADAME WALSKA consulted three Japanese land- Ascape architects in the late 1960s and had three sets of plans drawn when she decided to create a Japanese-style garden, she was not satisfied with them and told Ozzie da Ros that she could not understand them. “How are we going to build the Japanese garden that I want?” she asked. Ozzie replied that she had an expert already on her staff— Frank Fujii. “My Frank can do this?” And so it began. Between Frank, Ozzie and Madame, the Japanese garden evolved from what was a water reservoir in the late 1880s, turned AIG R pleasure pond in the 1920s, to a modern C BOB rendition of a Japanese stroll garden. Y B Included in the garden, in keeping OS with Madame Walska’s penchant to T PHO collect as many of a thing she had This is an example of a rustic style yukimi-dor¯ o¯ lantern with a single arched leg that is almost always set her fancy on from golden barrel suspended at the edge of the water. cacti to pieces of glass slag, she com- missioned her team to find stone IN THIS ISSUE lanterns to bring flavor to her new garden project. In all, she acquired “The Ish-Dor¯ o¯ of Lotusland” 1 Summer Twilight Tour 9 more than 30 lanterns, most of which Lanterns in the Japanese Garden Fall Harvest: A Lotusland 10 were probably created in Japan and sold Director’s Letter 3 Food and Wine Fête here in the pre-war years. Many estates Lotusland Welcomes New Trustees 4 Lotusland Celebrates 10 of the early days of Montecito and Spectacular Auction Items Hope Ranch development had garden Collections News 4 ornaments, some of which may have Spirit House Botanical Gods and Goddesses 11 been sent by the emperor of Japan to The Lotus Society 5 Exceptional Plants: 12 the St. Louis Exposition in 1897 and Horticultural Happenings 6 Lotusland Auction and Sale later sold to wealthy patrons in our Miwatasu Help Make Lotusland’s 12 area. No documentation exists of these, Corey Welles: Guest Lecturer 7 Wishes Come True but it has been noted as a common at Anderson Japanese Gardens The Spirit of Lotusland 12 practice. According to Fujii and da Ros, lanterns at Lotusland came from a Members’ Family Day 8 Become a Lotusland Docent 13 It's All About Bugs! number of sources including the Knight, Volunteer Appreciation Picnic 13 Raimen, Armour, Madern, and El LotusFest! 9 Thank You Garden Champion, 13 Mirador estates. Oh Look! Lotuses, Water Lilies 9 Garden Visionary, Garden Continued on page 2 and the Bog Stewards and Garden Guardians 2 The LOTUSLAND the Sea from Korea to Japan. Korea was NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS under Chinese rule, so these artisans is published by Ganna Walska Lotusland brought their knowledge of China’s 695 Ashley Road sophisticated culture, artistic tech- Santa Barbara, California 93108 niques and Buddhist philosophy with 805.969.3767 • www.lotusland.org them. The Japanese commissioned these Korean craftsmen to build the 2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Connie Pearcy, President first temple in Japan—the Asuka Crystal Wyatt, Vice-President temple in Nara. Ian Fisher, Secretary The dai-dor¯ o¯ or standard lantern Mick Thomas, Treasurer was used at Buddhist temples and Marc Appleton represented the five elements of Daniel Bifano Belle Hahn Cohen Buddhist cosmology. The base (kiso), Geoff Crane touching the ground, represents chi— William Daugherty the earth; next, the column (sao) is Dorothy Gardner sui-water; ka-fire is represented by the Debby Longo lamp-box (hibukuro); while fu-air is Suzanne Mathews Mimi Michaelis the roof section (kasa); and finally Eileen Rasmussen ki-spirit is the lotus bud finial (hoh-ju). George Schoellkopf An example of a formal four-legged yukimi-dor¯ o¯ . These segments express the idea that Caroline Thompson In Japan, snow scenery is regarded as one of the after death the physical body will go floral displays of the year, and this traditional design Susanne Tobey back to its original elemental form. Peggy Wiley has an oversized roof to capture the snow to help Yasmine Zodeh create a focal point in the garden during the winter Other styles of lanterns have been months. crafted including one of Fujii’s favorites, Lifetime Honorary Trustees the rustic dai-dor¯ o¯ or rustic lantern. Merryl Brown Continued from page 1 There are lanterns with one curved Robert J. Emmons One of the most important and leg (rankei yukimi-dor¯ o)¯ , up to six arched Arthur R. Gaudi Kisa Heyer iconic features of all Japanese gardens is legs (yukimi-dor¯ o)¯ , as well as the Michael Towbes the ishi-dor¯ o¯ or stone lantern. Gardens standard ishi-dor¯ o¯ placed along the path were not, however, the origin of all or peeking through the branches of a Gwen Stauffer, M.S. Japanese lanterns. The ishi-dor¯ o¯ was black pine tree. Executive Director first recorded as being constructed in Whatever their age or provenance, Anne Dewey, CFRE the Asuka Period (552–794) by Prince the lanterns at Lotusland represent the Director of Development Iruchiko, son of the Emperor Suiko, and, wide variety of styles that have been Diane Figueroa, CPA therefore, purely Japanese in origin. created over the centuries in Japan. In Director of Finance However, this is debated, crediting the many cases, they merely lend an Bob Craig origin to the Chinese. During the Asuka element of decoration to the garden, Director of Marketing Period, at the start of Buddhism in but often there is also great symbolism Virginia Hayes, M.A. Japan, many Korean artisans crossed to the different types. Curator Tyler Diehl Director of Gardens and Facilities Dorothy Shaner Director of Public Programs Steven Timbrook, Ph.D. Director Emeritus Printed by Jano Graphics Lindse Davis, Design Mission Statement We preserve and enhance the unique historic estate of Madame Ganna Walska, care for and improve its collections, and develop its conservation and horticulture programs, so they educate us, inspire us, and advance our understanding and appreciation of the importance of plants in our lives and in the life of the planet. The one-curved-leg Rankei yukimi-dor¯ o¯ is found at the edge of the lake or pond suspended over the water. 3 This style of rustic dai-dor¯ o¯ lantern is found The most common dai-dor¯ o¯ is the Kasuga shape, This rustic example of yukimi-dor¯ o¯ , or four-legged throughout the Japanese garden at Lotusland. recognized by the carvings of a deer, stag, the sun lantern, has no shaft and instead rests on four legs The rustic style is constructed from raw, unpolished or moon on the sides of the fire box. The roof has that arch outward from the base. In Japan, this style stones that have not been shaped or carved. This six or eight sides with corners that curl upward. is well presented under a mantle of snow. It can be example, on the east side of the pond, was one of In 2003 Frank Fujii and his family donated this found on the east side of the pond with a stone Frank Fujii’s favorites. lantern that is on the pathway by the pond. basin at its feet. Director’s Letter OTUSLAND RECENTLY APPEARED in an article in the spring travel L section of The T elegraphLondon, written by Christopher Bailes, a judge for the world’s most prestigious horti- cultural and floral display, the Chelsea Flower Show. For 22 years Mr. Bailes who tell us their primary motivation was the Curator for Rosemoor, a 1930s for traveling to Santa Barbara is to visit historic estate garden donated to Great this remarkable garden. These guests N Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society in from foreign lands come to discover OW R 1988. He is an expert on a broad range what our local community already NA D of plants, particularly orchids and hollies. knows—Lotusland is a special and N As Curator, Mr. Bailes traveled the world unique place that almost defies words. LEA A to collect plants, but now he travels the You have to see it to believe it. Gwen Stauffer world to visit botanical gardens, and to Invariably, when I meet someone write and speak about them. in our community new to me who has Our tag line is hardly original—we In The T elegraph travel article, Mr. visited the garden, and upon learning frequently hear this predictable and Bailes shares his pick for the best ten my vocation, she or he typically always ardent response from people gardens of the world. Lotusland was exclaims, “I love Lotusland!” Parents of who are familiar with Lotusland, even if one of only two gardens in America fourth-graders tell us their children are they have visited only one time. If you that made the list, ranked fourth before the most animated with excitement on love Lotusland, we hope you will share the Portland Japanese Garden. He the day they come home from their your passion and inspire others to begin describes Lotusland as a fantasy of botany field trip to Lotusland.et, Y there their own love affair with this exquisite remarkable set-pieces of design and are still many people in our community botanical treasure. planting quite unlike any other garden, who have never visited and think All my best, advising his fellow travelers to prepare Lotusland is “just another garden.” Gwen themselves for the ultimate theatrical We strive to share Lotusland with experience.