Seattle Japanese Garden Statement on Anti-Asian Violence

We are deeply saddened by the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes happening across this country and close to home. As a Japanese garden, we feel a responsibility to publicly reject this violence and racism in our country and our community. We wholeheartedly embrace our mission to create understanding and friendship between Japanese and American people, and extend this to include all Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) peoples.

The Seattle Japanese Garden was built in 1960—a time when the U.S. was grappling with the Civil Rights Movement—and was one of the first post-WWII gestures of friendship between our country and Japan. In the 15 years after the end of the war, many American people had little concept of Japanese culture outside of sometimes racist wartime propaganda. Despite this, the Seattle Japanese Garden was envisioned by Americans, designed by Japanese, and built by the loving hands of Japanese-American people.

While the Seattle Japanese Garden is not a “friendship garden,” we are a garden created by intercultural friendship and by the desire to understand those who are not exactly like us. We are firmly committed to standing with members of the AAPI community and being a refuge for healing and reflection for all.

Our garden is a place of beauty and tranquility, and a sanctuary for many people to escape the stress of their everyday lives. It would not exist without the talents and vision of its creators of Japanese descent. We invite all our guests into the Garden to reflect upon themselves, and seek empathy and understanding for others.

There is no space for hatred here.

For more information, go to https://stopaapihate.org/