1846-1922 - Jigozen Mura, Hiroshima-Ken , Japan Shinshichi Nakatani was the builder of the 1894 San Francisco Midwinter Fair's Bell Gate (Shoro-no-mon) and Drum Bridge (Taiko Bashi) for the Japanese Tea Garden - Golden Gate Park.

Renowned Master Shrine Builder (Torio), Shinshichi Nakatani, was commissioned by the Japanese government to build a Drum Bridge (taiko Bashi) for the 1894 San Francisco Midwinter Fair.

Shinshichi made the grueling trip by boat in the early 1890's to build the bridge, only to discover the lack of proper building materials available. He then returned to his home in Japan where he constructed the original drum bridge. After completion, the bridge received a Shinto Blessing and was dismantled for it's sea voyage to San Francisco.

Before the bridge could be reassembled, the Bell Gate (Shoro-no-mon) completed, the project ran out of funds.
Shinshichi once again crossed the ocean, this time to sell his family's rice fields (Tambo) to fund the construction.
Shinshichi's son remained in San Francisco for the next forty years sending his earnings to Japan to regain possession of the Tambo.

 

For over 100 years, Shinshichi's accomplishments were orally handed down from generation to generation in the Nakatani Family, along with a book of plans, "How to Build a Shrine, Carpenter's Secret Recipe", dated 1887.

Sadly, this was the only recognition he ever received for this endeavor, until the year 2000.
 

 

 

 

Those who wander the paths of the Japanese Tea Garden have always been enthralled with its natural beauty and serenity. Now, for the first time in it's history, it is truly a place of harmony and balance.
 

 

 

 

 

 

The accomplishments of Shinshichi Nakatani would never be acknowledged without the contributions and dedication of the following people and organizations. Their contributions to the historical research project and official recognition are deeply appreciated by the Nakatani family.

Primary Researchers
Eleanor Suzuko Kamei (1936-1999)
Katsuya Nakatani

Acknowledgments
Fujiko Nakatani
Masuyo Nakatani
Brian LiArchive
Margi Fletcher, Japanese Cultural Community Center of Northern California
Ed Schuster
Sakamoto & J.K. Yamamoto, Hokubei Mainichi
Noboru Nakatani
Yoshio Nakai
Doug Dawkin
Gloria Wickham
 The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park
Ruth Asawa Lanier
Yoshie Nakatani
Matsuno, Shinto Priest
Iida, Shinto Priest
Mitsuru Nakatani
Manabu Katayama,
Chugoku Shimbun
Dana Swart
Ken Brown
Gladys Hansen, The Museum of the City of San Francisco
Phillis Houston & Joyce Crew, Mill Valley Library
Dr. Chas Igawa
Mina Yoshida
Jan Munyon