“Suimei'' is a japanese word that describes how clear water shines beautifully under the light of the sun and moon. The pavilion has been named with this word in the hope of imagining a bright future from the ever-changing surface of the water, while at the same time reflecting the history of Tokyo.
“It can be said that Hama-rikyu is a garden that coexists with water. I thought about adding water into that scenery, to depict modern society. The winding stream looks as if it is still when viewed from a distance. But when you look at it closely, you realize that it is flowing quietly. This slowly flowing water represents the connection between the past, present and future.”
Kazuyo Sejima
Kazuyo Sejima was very particular in choosing the place for the creation of this pavilion, looking for a place where both history and modernity could be felt at the same time. The Hama-rikyu Gardens are an example of the Daimyo Teien (feudal lord’s gardens) of the Edo Period, with a tidal pond (a type of pond formed with seawater that changes its shape depending on the rise and fall of the tide) and with two sites for hunting ducks.
Sejima was convinced that this traditionally styled garden which stands in stark contrast to the skyscrapers of the neighboring Shiodome district is “a place where you can access both historical and modern aspects of Tokyo”.
