Nakatani Family                                          

The main gate opens to curved walkways, graveled over and lined methodically with pine maple and cherry trees.  The paths wind around gentle streams filled with koi and ducks.  Protruding from the landscape like the monument it is, comes the Drum Bridge; an epic giant that looms from across a peaceful man made pond, enriching the garden and preserving a small, but significant piece of Japanese culture.  The beauty of these gardens is exemplified by the Taiko-Bashi, which up until recently had remained “creator-less” for over one hundred years.
Shinshichi Nakatani was a great architect, whose creation of the Taiko-Bashi, or more commonly known as the Drum-Bridge, in the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Francisco, had been unrecognized since its construction.  The quest for recognition as the “Master Builder” of the Taiko-Bashi was a hard fought battle, but in the end, Shinshichi gained the respect of the citizens of San Francisco and anyone who visits the gardens, and created a legacy that will forever be remembered by his great contribution to the aesthetic appeal of the Japanese Tea Gardens. 

        The task to gain recognition for Shinshichi’s Drum Bridge was no easy journey.
Shinshichi was first commissioned by the country of Japan to build a Taiko-Bashi for the 1894 Mid Winter Fair in San Francisco.  He made the journey in 1890 to America to begin the construction of the bridge, but returned to Japan to retrieve adequate building materials.  Once in Japan, he constructed the original bridge.  After its completion, the bridge received a Shinto Blessing and was dismantled for its sea voyage to San Francisco.  Before the bridge could be reassembled, the project ran out of funds. Shinshichi once again crossed the ocean, this time to sell his family’s rice fields to fund the construction of the bridge.

        The stories of Shinshichi’s work on the drum bridge were passed down by means of oral tradition through the generations, until finally reaching the ears of Katsuya Nakatani.  His indignation towards the San Franciscan government for not giving his great uncle the recognition he deserved lead him on a quest to regain the sense of honor for the Nakatani’s in America that Shinshichi had already created for his family in Japan.  Kats wrote numerous letters to members of the San Franciscan city council, the mayor, and the general manager of San Francisco’s recreation and park department, telling of Shinshichi’s accomplishments and dedication were recognized, and a memorial plaque was designed and placed in the Japanese Tea Gardens. 

        Visitors to the Japanese Tea Garden associate their experience with awe and respect for the gardens, and more specifically the drum bridge.  The people of San Francisco take a great interest in the dedication of Shinshichi to his work on the Taiko-Bashi.  As the director of Mayor Willie Brown in a letter to Katsuya Nakatani says,  “The story of dedication and sacrifice of Shinshichi Nakatani….is a significant facet of  San Francisco history…”  San Franciscans take a great deal of pride in the Tea Gardens and their architectural marvels, including Shinshichi’s Bridge.  Nakatani’s work has always been respected in his home country of Japan.  The citizens and government of Japan know well of the journey and sacrifice of Shinshichi for his work and to bring honor to his family.  Japanese society even recognizes him as a “Master Shrine Builder,” with numerous articles recording his experience in America and with his Taiko-Bashi. 

        Shinshichi Nakatani’s drum bridge in the Japanese Tea Gardens created a legacy for him that was never imagined and never recognized before 2000.  The bridge is a part of San Francisco history and a part of the Tea Gardens that will never be forgotten or overlooked.  As the newspaper Honolulu Star praises, “there is little doubt that the beauty of this garden is made complete by the ….Taiko-Bashi Bridge…that has been present for over one hundred years…”  The acclaimed Japanese American newspaper the Rafu Shimpo, also commends that “Nakatani’s sacrifice, and that of his family, gave San Francisco what ultimately has become one of San Francisco’s most recognizable, most visited and most enjoyed tourist attractions.”  Through the dedication of Katsuya Nakatani, his great uncle’s contribution to San Franciscan History will always be remembered.  A plaque designed by ‘an acclaimed Japanese American artist’ reminds the visitors of the involvement of Shinshichi to the beauty of the Tea Gardens.  Although the plaque is placed in the ground, a place which is seen as dishonorable, Katsuya is currently trying to gain support to move the plaque to a stone column for better viewing, and a more honorable place in the gardens. 

        Through the dedication of one “Master Builder,” John McLaren’s dream of creating a stunning Japanese Tea Garden in the center of metropolitan San Francisco became a reality.  The Taiko-Bashi Drum Bridge ties the gardens together and gives rise to a visual euphoria. Shinshichi Nakatani’s work on the drum bridge demanded the respect of all who visit the gardens, and after a long battle, founded a legacy for himself and his family.
By creating such an appealing piece of Japanese Artwork, Shinshichi has forever impacted the Japanese Tea Gardens of San Francisco, California.

 

Written by:
Killey Crenshaw
December 23, 2005
School........Centennial High School
Class......... 10th grade
Teacher.......Mr. David Webb
Home town....Frisco, Texas