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Moerenuma Park and Isamu Noguchi

On March 30, 1988, sculptor Isamu Noguchi visited Moerenuma, which was still a landfill at the time.

Born to a Japanese father and American mother, Noguchi's talent as a sculptor was critically acclaimed in the United States as well, having received a National Medal of Arts from President Ronald Reagan.

being carried into the landfill that is Moerenuma today.

A line of automobiles arrived at the site where the glass pyramid stands today. Noguchi exited from one of the cars, hastily buttoning up his jacket. Hitoshi Yamamoto, Director of Moerenuma Park, was there. To Yamamoto, who was observing the scene, it seemed like the sculptor was impatient to get out of the vehicle quickly. Raised by his grandfather, Yamamoto's first impression of Noguchi was as if he was once again meeting his deceased grandfather.

At the time, Noguchi was 83 years old. After quickly slipping into his boots, Noguchi hurried down the snow-covered path at surprising speed, making it hard for the others to keep up with him.

At the time, Sapporo was funding the progress of an art movement for the city. Noguchi's visit to this location was a part of this project.

The city offered three locations in Minami-ku as possible candidate sites for the project. These sites were Sapporo Art Park, the present-day municipal school adjacent to it, and Moere. Although the city imagined the site would be Sapporo Art Park, Noguchi was more attracted to Moere.

Noguchi had studied the city plan for park construction. Upon viewing the plan for artificial rivers near the center of the park, Noguchi commented, "It is not wise to mimic nature within nature." Having assisted in the planning of many park layouts Yamamoto believed landscaping was essentially about trying to recreate nature realistically. It was then that he realized the difference in philosophy between himself and Noguchi.

Although Noguchi never clearly expressed that he was fond of the site, it was quite evident from his words and attitudes that he was attracted to this location.

Yamamoto recalls having heard Noguchi say while at Moere, "This place will be my work."

Partial construction of facilities had already started at Moerenuma Park. Plans included building tennis courts and planting cherry trees. Noguchi was informed that permission from the national government was necessary in order to work on the marsh surrounding the area. To this, Noguchi replied, "It is the same as in the U.S.," expressing his understanding.

When explaining the city's Greenbelt Plan to Noguchi, Yamamoto felt that the sculptor approved and felt strongly supportive of it. Yamamoto felt that perhaps Noguchi had been attracted to Moere because to the fact that he could freely manipulate its geography. After that, Noguchi was quick to act. By his next visit to Sapporo, Noguchi had already created a model for the park layout.

In later episodes, Yamamoto also experienced moments when Noguchi's passion for the project seemed to be somewhat blurred.

Noguchi resided in New York. However, he spent most of his time flying around the world while spending the rest of the time at work in his atelier in Mure (Kagawa Prefecture), Japan and Pietrasanta in northern Italy. Both towns, Mure and Pietrasanta, are famous for their fine stones.

As city official, Yamamoto was frequently called in to Tokyo and Sapporo. It was there where in contrast to the outgoing disposition he displayed in Moere, Noguchi became pessimistic about his project. Noguchi had been warned by close acquaintances of the difficulties of working on a project run by a government, much like he had experienced in the United States in the past as well. It was clear that his feelings were swaying.

Yamamoto showed Noguchi pictures of trees to be planted and discussed future prospects with the sculptor, who had grown unconfident. On numerous occasions Yamamoto had to end the day and return home past midnight after encouraging Noguchi back to his usual state of esteem.

Meetings were held repeatedly in Tokyo, Kagawa, and Sapporo. Yamamoto also visited Noguchi in Mure for arrangements after the final staff meeting on November 16.

The very next day, Noguchi celebrated his 84th anniversary in his atelier in Mure along with his companions. Yamamoto was also present at this party. From pictures of this event, Noguchi can be seen gazing into his birthday candles with a calm smile upon his face.

On the following morning of the 18th when Yamamoto was to return to Sapporo he was called in by Noguchi with a request for another meeting. Yamamoto proceeded to Noguchi's home. His house was the relocated residence of a wealthy merchant in Marugame City created in Japanese style with a stylish yard and sculptures of his own being placed here and there.

While serving coffee and buttered toast at breakfast, Noguchi presented his ideas for the "Play Mountain" to Yamamoto. There were several new ideas and from this, Yamamoto felt a great energy emanating from Noguchi, who was always imagining new and different ideas.

As Yamamoto's flight departure time was nearing, Noguchi ended the conversation after about an hour, saying that, "I will visit Sapporo during the next Snow Festival."

"Please do," said Yamamoto with a handshake as he departed. This turned out to be the final conversation between him and Noguchi.

Upon returning to New York from Mure, Noguchi's cold escalated into pneumonia, and after approximately one month and a half, Noguchi passed away on December 30.

If he had made it to the Snow Festival, perhaps Noguchi might have said that he would have liked to build a snow sculpture, thought Yamamoto.

Looking back at their last conversation after Noguchi showed his models for the completion of Moerenuma Park and the Black Slide Mantra for Odori Park, Noguchi joked, "With this you can complete them even if I pass away." Perhaps he knew that at his age this was not a project that would likely finish within his lifetime.

(Original Article in Japanese by Takuya Yoshimura)