San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place: Buchanan Mall Gate

Address: Buchanan Mall, between Post and Sutter St.

Visual Description:

The Buchanan Mall Gate is one of the most visible cultural landmarks in Japantown and sits at the Sutter Side entrance of the Buchanan Mall, overlooking the shopping district. The structure is comprised of four concrete columns, which support four interlocking wooden beams on the top. The wooden beams are laminated and assembled in a trellis-like pattern, with each beam increasing in size as you approach the top of the structure, reaching a maximum width of 37 feet on the second uppermost layer. The wooden beams rise approximately four feet above the concrete pillars, and the entire structure stands roughly 20 feet tall. The gate is designed to symbolize a Japanese mountain temple gate, and enhances the “natural garden” atmosphere of the entire Buchanan Mall area.

History:

During the mid-1960’s, during the latter stages of redevelopment, Rai Okamoto began to develop a master plan in conjunction with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency to create a major public works project on the Buchanan Plaza. The original development plan for the Buchanan Plaza included a sculpture that would lie at the entrance of the Buchanan mall. In later development plans, however, the sculpture idea was scrapped in favor of a gate-like structure that would mark the entrance of the Buchanan Mall. The four columns supporting the gate were made by filling large cardboard tubes with concrete, while the wooden beams were added later on. The gate was finished along with the rest of the Buchanan Plaza in 1976.

Significance:

Cultural

Recognition of Significance:

Mentioned in local newspapers

Source

Masahiro Murata, former student and partner of Rai Okamoto, Masahiro Murata Architecture & Planning

Other Comments:

Contrary to popular belief, the Buchanan Mall gate was not intended to be a Japanese Torii Gate, a holy structure that is commonly found in front of Japanese Shinto shrines. Instead, the gate represents the entrance to a Japanese “garden,” and was intended to welcome visitors to the Buchanan Plaza.

Prepared By: Young Kim Date Prepared: 9/15/04