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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | The Tidal Basin in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic) |
The Gift of Friendship
Japanese Pagoda
— National Mall and Memorial Parks —
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By Richard E. Miller, September 17, 2011 | |
| | | 1. The Gift of Friendship Marker | | |
Inscription.
This 3,800 pound, 17th century Japanese Pagoda arrived in the Nation’s Capital in 1957 as a gift from Mayor Ryozo Hiranuma of Yokohama, Japan. Its parts packed in five shipping crates with no assembly instructions, the pagoda required the staff of the Library of Congress to determine how to reconstruct it accurately. Former District of Columbia Commissioner Renah Camalier arranged for its placement here among the flowering cherry trees Japan donated in 1912.
On April 18, 1958, the pagoda was dedicated in continuing recognition of the centennial of the peaceful relations established between the United States and Japan at Yokohama on March 31, 1854 as a special gift from Japan to the United States. That landmark event also is honored by a Washington Monument commemorative stone, a United States Navy Memorial bronze bas-relief, and the Japanese Lantern across the Tidal Basin.
Pagodas originated in India as stupas, or burial tombs, which represented birth, creation, and the center of the universe. Buddhism transformed the stupa into the more spiritual pagoda found atop mountains or along ancient roads as a symbol of reverence for natural elements. Consider how this pagoda remains symbolic of a Japanese garden, which traditionally emphasizes balance among the elements of water, stone, and vegetation.
[Rendering | | | | 
By Richard E. Miller, September 17, 2011 | |
| | | 2. The Gift of Friendship Marker | | |
of the gift pagoda, delineating the elements: "Sky", "Wind", "Fire", and "Water"]
Graphics provided by the National Park Service
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Location. 38° 52.942′ N, 77° 2.469′ W. Marker is in The Tidal Basin, District of Columbia, in Washington. Marker is on the Tidal Basin Walkway north of Ohio Drive, SW. Click for map. Marker is located near the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20024, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Air Mail (about 700 feet away, in a direct line); Defender of Liberty (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thomas Jefferson (approx. ¼ mile away); Japanese Pagoda (approx. 0.3 miles away); Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cuban Friendship Urn (approx. 0.3 miles away); Japanese Stone Lantern (approx. 0.3 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in The Tidal Basin.
Regarding The Gift of Friendship. This marker replaced the original "pagoda" marker at this location - see the "Related Marker" listed below.
Related marker| | | | 
By Richard E. Miller, September 17, 2011 | |
| | | 3. The Tidal Basin, viewed from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial | | The Gift of Friendship Marker is among the cherry trees on bend in the shoreline to the left. The MLK, Jr. Memorial is visible, upper right. | | |
. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown. |
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By Richard E. Miller, December 16, 2012 | |
| | | 4. The Gift of Friendship Marker with the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in view across the Tidal Basin | | |
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By Richard E. Miller, December 16, 2012 | |
| | | 5. Close-up of the Gift of Friendship Pagoda | | with the Jefferson Memorial visible through the winter barren limbs of the Japanese cherry tree, upper
upper right. | | |
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By Richard E. Miller, December 16, 2012 | |
| | | 6. The southeast entrance to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial - | | - adjacent to the Gift of Friendship Marker. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on September 20, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 347 times since then. Last updated on December 16, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 20, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 16, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
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