Miracles and Milestones

The following is a revised version of an article that first appeared in the booklet “Rejoice in a New Beginning,” which was published as part of the celebration of the Grand Opening of Shumei America’s National Center, Pasadena in 1992.

The story of Shumei’s Center in Pasadena has an extraordinary beginning. The property became available after an old, landmark church in Pasadena that originally sat on the site was damaged during an earthquake in 1987. A real estate developer was first in line to buy it, and it looked as if the property would become yet one more of the many shopping malls that were springing up in the Los Angeles Basin at that time. Happily for us, a 20-foot section at the rear of the site had a zoning restriction that prevented the land being used for such purposes. So, the developer decided to give up his claim and we acquired the property. It was very fortunate timing, for not long after that the zoning restriction was lifted.
In the beginning, our dream developed very slowly and often faltered. While impressive, our original architects’ plans were not found to be suitable for a Shumei Center. It was early in 1990 that we began to realize that a new direction was needed and began to interview other architectural firms. Eventually, our confidence was placed in Pederson, Beckhart, Wesley & Stice Architects. The following months saw intense collaborative efforts, including brainstorming sessions in which many of our members took part. By the end of that year, the firm had completed the schematic design phase for the new complex—one that answered all our needs and captivated everyone's imagination.
In December 1990, Sensei Eugene Imai took two architectural models of the new concept to Misono, where Kaishusama and Hiroko Sensei (later to become Kaicho-Sensei) expressed their delight and gave the project their blessings.
We opened the new year of 1991 by choosing the Obayashi America Corporation as our general contractor. Now our team was complete and the construction work could begin. In July, when the City of Pasadena granted our building permit, Obayashi proceeded to demolish the old, damaged church and clear the site.
On August 31, 1991, before an international assemblage, we held a traditional groundbreaking ceremony. This marked the beginning of the Shumei America National Center. The grounds were purified in time-honored style, and divine guidance and protection were sought for the project during the construction period. Now the site was ready. The builders could begin.
Less than three months later, on December 15, came another major celebration, the topping-off ceremony, which marked the completion of the steel framework for Shumei Hall. Sensei Eugene Imai brought the day to a memorable climax as he mounted a ladder and at the top of the giant sloping roof beams, tightened a golden nut and bolt. It was the final touch for the framework. Yet, much still needed to be done in the very short time remaining before the dedication ceremony.
Would everything be ready by October? Reinforced concrete panels precisely crafted to fit the unusually shaped structure were being made hundreds of miles away. The Hall’s distinctive ceiling design involved unprecedented construction challenges. The alcove that was to shelter the Scroll of Light and the areas surrounding the alcove had to be meticulously crafted of fine wood. Extraordinary precautions were needed to protect the Scroll. There were hundreds of important details to be considered. There were the clerestory skylights, the stained glass windows, the interior lighting, the sound system, the air-conditioning, the plumbing and heating, and nothing less than excellence would do. In addition, all had to be done within the artistic constraints of a distinctively shaped building and a precisely defined site. All of it had to come together like the separate elements of a fine sculpture, all working together to form one magnificent whole.
However, despite all this, the miracle happened. The project was completed on time and stood as a tribute to all who participated in its creation. The Project Manager, Don Osborne, told us that it was a building complex that came straight from the heart, a crowning jewel of design and construction. When it was finished, Shumei America’s National Center was ready to spread its wings of light over the whole western world.