San Francisco Japantown Task Force

DATA SHEET

Place/Event: Rai Okamoto’s Rock River & Ruth Asawa’s Origami Fountains

Address: Buchanan Mall, between Post and Sutter Street

Description:

In 1976, two sculpture/fountains based on origami forms were cast in corten steel. In 1999, they were remade in bronze. The sculptures are joined by a cobblestone river which flows toward Peace Plaza. Wood and cast concrete benches designed by Rai Okamoto have relief panels by Ruth Asawa. The children of the Buchanan Mall merchants helped make the original dough figures that represent Japanese fairy tales, festivals, and fantasy.

History:

In the 1970’s, Rai Okamoto was hired to design the Buchanan Mall. He invited award-winning artist Ruth Asawa to design a sculptural piece for this space. Over the years, Ruth and Mae Lee, had given origami workshops for the community at festivals and street fairs in Nihonmachi. Asawa designed two fountains based on origami forms to represent Japanese culture. The river which joins the sculptures is made of cobblestones, a material chosen for its historical accuracy in the building of San Francisco Streets.

Significance:

Cultural, Social

Recognition of Significance:

Incorporated by San Francisco Arts Commission as a City Art Piece,1999; featured in San Francisco Examiner and Hokubei Mainichi newspapers, 1999

Sources:

Ruth Asawa, artist

Other Comments:

The rock river symbolizes a river flowing through the origami fountains toward the Peace Plaza. It was not meant to be walked upon nor was it meant to be blocked visually. The flat concrete walkways on both sides of the “rock river” were created to provide safe passage alongside the “river” and businesses in the Buchanan Mall area.

Prepared By: Aiko Cuneo Date Prepared: 7/18/04