The Gates of Hope: Connecting Cultures - Portland Japanese Garden

From April 24 through May 31, Portland Japanese Garden is showing a documentary exhibition, “The Gates of Hope: Connecting Cultures.” This retrospective exhibition commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and the devastating nuclear disaster that followed in its wake. Journey through Portland Japanese Garden’s efforts in returning two lost artifacts – kasagi, or beams of a sacred Shinto gate – that had been swept away by the tsunami. These kasagi traveled across the Pacific Ocean for nearly two years, eventually washing ashore on the Oregon coast. Returning the kasagi to their hometown of Hachinohe, Japan, required two years of transpacific coordination, community detective work, and a few strokes of luck. This exhibition will bring the story to life through exposing the magic in the details – from the photos documenting each step of the journey to the heartfelt letters from city officials and students at the local school in Hachinohe – sharing the lesson of what connects us as humans: empathy, perseverance, and compassion.