Islands of Peace
Overview
The Islands of Peace Japanese Garden is a community-created karesansui, or dry landscape garden, in Coventry War Memorial Park. Opened in 2021, it was developed by pupils from five Coventry primary schools with Japanese garden designer Robert Ketchell, the Japanese Garden Society, Coventry City Council and local volunteers. Its seven symbolic islands, granite gravel and interrupted bridge express ideas of global interdependence, reconciliation and the fragility of peace.
History
The garden grew out of the Coventry Cities of Peace Schools Projects, an educational programme undertaken between 2018 and 2021. Pupils explored the histories of Coventry and Hiroshima, Japanese culture, peace poetry and Noh theatre through projects developed with author and producer Jannette Cheong, the Japan Society and other cultural partners. The dry garden became the programme’s permanent public legacy.
Planning and construction began in 2019. The children proposed the themes and principal symbolic elements, while Robert Ketchell, a Japanese garden designer and former chair of the Japanese Garden Society, translated their ideas into the garden’s professional design. Graham Hardman and other Japanese Garden Society members provided technical guidance, while pupils, families, Friends of the War Memorial Park, contractors and community volunteers participated in its construction.
The garden was formally opened on 2 July 2021 during the Coventry Children’s Japanese Arts Festival. The ceremony was attended by Coventry’s lord mayor and the Japanese ambassador to the United Kingdom. Its completion also formed part of the programme surrounding Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 and the Japan–UK Season of Culture.
Design features
The garden is composed primarily of granite gravel, rocks, planted islands and a two-part bridge. The gravel represents the oceans, which cover more than seventy per cent of the Earth, while seven islands symbolise the seven continents. Five are represented by individual stones, and two are larger planted islands, referring to the unequal and limited distribution of the planet’s natural resources.
The two larger islands are connected by an intentionally interrupted bridge. This represents humanity’s need to reach across divisions and establish relationships based on peace and reconciliation. The gap also expresses the idea that peace, like humanity’s relationship with the natural world, is fragile and requires conscious effort to sustain.
The garden is approached through a line of Japanese flowering cherry trees planted with the involvement of local schoolchildren. Viewing areas were incorporated into the design so that the mineral composition can be observed without entering the raked gravel. The site was planned to be accessible to visitors of different ages and physical abilities.
Garden elements
Enclosures
Stones
Current status
The garden remains a permanent feature of Coventry War Memorial Park and is maintained as a public place for quiet reflection. It is freely accessible throughout the year during the park’s opening hours.