I Opened the Gate Laughing: An Inner Journey, Mayumi Oda
(Chronicle Books)
ISBN 0811833860
Zen paths and garden paths. . . . This small exquisite memoir is the tale of one woman's journey toward serenity, balance and true creativity, and how she found peace of mind in her own garden — this is also a wise tale about the garden as sacred space.
As a young woman Mayumi Oda immigrated to the United States with her husband, an American university professor. Fleeing early memories of World War II and a traditional Japanese childhood, she made a home with her husband and mothered two sons, embraced a glamorous existence in New York City as an artist and became a success in the art world, but she sensed that something important was missing in her life. Years later, as her marriage began to crumble, she moved to northern California and settled near the San Francisco Zen Centre's legendary Green Gulch Farm. There she became a student of Richard Baker Roshi, rediscovered the seasonal Shinto rituals and Zen practices of her childhood, planted a garden and began once more to to create paintings. Through meditation, art and gardening, Mayumi was to find her way home again.
Mayumi Oda has already appeared here at least once, and I wrote briefly about her Buddhist (and garden centered) art several weeks ago in my review of Annie Somerville's lovely cookbook, Everyday Greens, which had been illustrated by Mayumi. She has exhibited her work at prestigious one-woman showings all over the globe, and she has illustrated published works by Thich Nhat Hanh and other Buddhist writers. She is also an environmental activist and a tireless worker for nuclear disarmament, activities which are rooted in her Japanese childhood and the bombing of Tokyo.
Everything about this book is a treasure, the overall design, Mayumi's own narrative, the sutras and Buddhist poetry quoted and (of course) her wonderful paintings. Whether you are an artist, a seeker, a gardener or a gatherer of wisdom tales, this book is a delight. ■
2 comments:
You make it sound so interesting - I have to go check it out.
Oh let's meet for lunch at The Greens... Deborah Madison and Annie Somerville taught me to garden and to cook. They showed me how to activate Hestia in the caring for others... and also Laurel's kitchen. Laurel was the first woman in my life who gave me permission to feel happy about nurturing my family and friends by preparing beautiful, wholesome food, that was seasoned with love.
Love,
Julie
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