Stories of Pacific Northwest Issei Artists Who Achieved Recognition in the Years Before World War II:

In a new blog series, Corinne Kennedy writes about three Japanese artists who lived and worked in early 20th-century Seattle. By the 1930s, their paintings were winning recognition and awards. However, world War II upended their lives, and until recently their work was largely erased from local art history. Part 1 of the series features artist Kamekichi Tokita. Read More

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Spiraea japonica ‘Alpina’ Has Light Pink Flowers Beginning in Late Spring

As the Seattle Japanese Garden transitions from spring’s bold flower colors to summer’s rich shades of green, Garden Guide Corinne Kennedy writes about a charming deciduous shrub, Spiraea japonica ‘Alpina,’ that blooms from late spring to early or mid-summer. With its low, dwarf habit and subtle light pink flowers, ‘Alpina’ is part of the Garden’s essential “supporting cast.” Three plants remain of the many that were planted in 1969. Read More.

An Oral History of Seattle Japanese Garden, Story No. 4: Growing a Lineage of Intentionality

Check out the fourth and final post of the Toro no Akari blog series, an oral history of the Seattle Japanese Garden as told from the perspective of those who know its every inch most intimately: the gardeners. Senior Gardener Pete Putnicki sheds light on the hidden places where intentionality has long been practiced to create the beauty, calm, and openness visitors love about this garden.

Garden History, Garden MaintenanceRumi TsuchihashiMay 23, 2024garden his, garden ma, hi

An Oral History of Seattle Japanese Garden, Story No. 3: A Japanese Gardener in America

Check out the third of the Toro no Akari blog series, an oral history of the Seattle Japanese Garden as told from the perspective of those who know its every inch most intimately: the gardeners. In this story, former consultant Masa Mizuno shares how his approach to work was influenced by coming to the United States and his point of view on authenticity that he’s shared with the numerous gardeners who worked for him over the years.

Garden HistoryRumi TsuchihashiMay 22, 2024History, Garden Design, garden maintenance, garden tour

An Oral History of Seattle Japanese Garden, Story No. 2: Sacrifice and Simplicity

Check out the second post of the Toro no Akari blog series, an oral history of the Seattle Japanese Garden as told from the perspective of those who know its every inch most intimately: the gardeners. Gardener and former advisory board member Mark Akai recounts a humorous teaching moment when he began working at the garden as a teenager—and the lessons in simplicity he honed over the following five decades.

Issei Contributions to Pacific Northwest Horticulture: Stories for Asian American Native Hawai'ian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Stories for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

In celebration of May’s AANHPI Heritage Month, Garden Guide Corinne Kennedy shares stories of Issei individuals and their families whose horticulturally-related businesses—including landscaping companies, plant nurseries, and greenhouses—made significant contributions to Pacific Northwest horticulture, garden design and public parks.

Rhododendron ‘Unique’ Has Lovely Ivory White Spring Flowers

The Seattle Japanese contains many “true” rhododendrons as well as azaleas (shrubs also in the genus Rhododendron). One of them is Rhododendron ‘Unique’, which has long been popular in the Pacific Northwest. It has very attractive evergreen foliage and charming ivory white flowers that open from pale salmon-pink buds.

Spring Cleaning: Replacing the Paper Shoji Screen at the Shoseian Tea House

On April 6, we opened the Shoseian Tea House at the Garden for our first Japanese Tea Ceremony Demonstration of the 2024 season. A week prior to opening, the tea house underwent its annual spring cleaning. (Two major cleanings take place at the tea house each year: one in spring, just before the tea demonstration season starts, and the other in fall, just after the season ends.) Read more…

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