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5. Symposium to Save Sho-Hondo:
Mission Statement |
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(Held on May 19, 1998,
6:30pm, Japanese Institute of Architects Hall)
Mission Statement
Nichiren Shoshu Head Temple Taiseki-ji recently announced
its plan to demolish the Sho Hondo (the Grand Main Temple)
for the reason that it was no longer needed. The Sho Hondo
is a monumental masterpiece of modern religious architecture
completed in 1972 with which we as architects are all
familiar. According to Taiseki-ji’s plan, the demolition
is expected to cost over 4.8 billion yen ($35 million)
and take 2 years. Nichiren Shoshu reportedly claim that
the blemishes on some marble surfaces and minor damage
found in the mortar finish on the edifice indicate erosion
of the steel bars caused by ocean sand mixed in the concrete.
Obviously, such groundless justification for the demolition
hardly deserves attention.
The demolition plan is a matter of grave concern for us
architects since religious architecture is meant to last
for an extended period of time for public use. That is
the essential prerequisite for all design and construction
work involved in building religious edifices. The Sho
Hondo is not a commercial building for which economical
efficiency is top priority. It is modern architecture
for religious use created with design, specifications,
and construction work all of extraordinary quality. It
would be an unprecedented outrage to level it merely 26
years after its completion. Such unreasonable destruction
could only happen in an abnormal situation, such as war
or fire. The demolition of the Sho Hondo is not acceptable
in a peaceful, democratic country like Japan.
Mr. Kimio Yokoyama, the designer of the Sho Hondo, stated
as follows:
The Sho Hondo is regarded as a significant edifice among
architects. Moreover, it is a landmark in architectural
culture. It would be an antisocial, barbaric insult to
the human spirit and endeavors to destroy it.
The Sho Hondo’s structure was engineered by Dr.
Shigeru Aoki, one of Japan’s leading authorities
on structural engineering. He adopted the unique approach
of a semi-rigid suspension roof so the structure would
achieve supreme wind and seismic resistance and an enormous
uninterrupted space inside. This is a well known fact
among structural engineers.
Furthermore, Mr. Yoshimune Zaitsu, job site supervisor
on the Sho Hondo project, criticizes the demolition plan
as follows:
A joint venture involving 6 leading construction companies
representing Japan’s construction industry gave
heart and soul to the creation of the Sho Hondo. Demolishing
this world-class asset only two and a half decades after
its completion is utter nonsense. It will certainly meet
with outcries from the industry as well as the public
at large.
If we are to view the Sho Hondo as one of the fruits of
our civilization, crystallizing the people’s lofty
ideals and goodwill and numerous workers’ superior
craftsmanship, its destruction for arbitrary reasons will
be deplorably unacceptable to us members of the architectural
community.
The Group of Architects to Advocate the Preservation of
the Sho Hondo was formed by architects who oppose the
senseless demolition of the Sho Hondo in order to campaign
for the eternal preservation of the Sho Hondo that is
cherished in many people’s hearts.
We plan to hold this Symposium for the Preservation of
the Sho Hondo: a World-class Building in order to discuss
the significance of the edifice and the absurdity of its
demolition, in the hope of passing down to future generations
this model of architectural culture which is a product
of human endeavors. Your understanding and support will
be greatly appreciated.
May 1998
Representative Dr. Takamasa Miyazaki, Professor of Engineering
in Architecture, Nippon University Secretary general Tan
Hirose, Kenchiku Kikaku Kenkyujo (Architecture Planning
Laboratory, Inc.)
The Group of Architects to Advocate the Preservation of
the Sho Hondo Telephone: 03(3425) 9016 Fax:03(3426) 2202
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