In August 2025, The University of Idaho is hosting students from Hiroshima University. These students are studying concepts related to place, sustainability, and conflict, with an integration of Japanese concepts  such as 自然 (Jinen, the role of humans in nature) and  場所の感覚 (Basho-no-Kankaku, sense of place).

As part of this visit, we are installing two Torii Gates at the University of Idaho Pollinator Garden/Peace Garden.

Visiting students have been asked to think of a single concept that communicates the idea of sustainability to them. This could be a phrase, a physical entity, a living creature, origami forms, a kanji, or other single idea.

Students have then been given a small piece of clay and asked to craft their concept into a sculptural object. These individual clay objects will be kiln-fired and integrated into the Peace Garden sculptural installation as shown below- evoking wind chimes or traditional bamboo fencing.

Torri Gates are objects of complex significance in Japan, linked to sacred places and marking a transition to holy sites. The specific shape and color of different forms of Torri  tell different stories. We recognize the sensitivity of using this imagery in a Western context, and do not propose to exactly re-create a traditional Torri gate. However, we do hope to reference ideas about the sacred, about a specific place being imbued with a unique spirit.

The Torii gate to be installed at the Univeristy of Idaho Pollinator/Peace Garden will be primarily made of cedar- but with a high-fire, ceramic cross bar. 

The have been some wonderful collaborators on this project, including the White Pine Chaper of the Palouse Native Plant Society andthe local student chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology. 

The most impressive thing, however, has been the energy and dedication of our visiting scholars from Japan.