PRINTS:
Artisans of Edo is an exhibit that portrays the livelihood of the artisans from the Edo period. The prints come from the series of reprints published by the Nippon Gasui-sha around 1923-1925 after the Japanese Art was gaining popularities outside of Japan. In this exhibit, the works of artists, Takakane Fujiwara and Mitsuoki Tosa are featured.
The collection is a part of hundreds of Japanese prints that were collected by the Wiley family in Japan at the end of WWII. The collection is a loan from the Wiley family in honor of their late father Bob Wiley and mother, Mary Ann Wiley.
Special thanks to Dr. Nobuko Horikawa, PhD for sharing her expertise and support in curating this exhibit.
GARMENTS:
The exhibit will also include a collection of garments acquired by the Wiley family. After sending the garments to Japan for cleaning and minor repairs, Unit 86 learned their age was estimated to be about 100 years.
Former Unit 86 President, Ada Michele Alston and Ann Wiley next to Mary Ann’s kimono during 2018 Garden Party.
The kimono and two haori displayed here were often worn by longtime Seattle Japanese Garden Guide, Unit 86 member and supporter Mary Ann Wiley while giving tours to her favorite visitors: school children. Emblematic of Mary Ann’s devotion to the garden, her husband Bob found half-filled bags of koi food and her tour notes tucked inside a sleeve when he donated the garments to Unit 86 after Mary Ann’s death in 2013. Today, Unit 86 Guides display and wear these garments at special events in Mary Ann’s honor.
Mary Ann Wiley was a member of the 2003 guide training class. She and her husband Bob were dedicated supporters of the Seattle Japanese Garden. Together they inspired and fundraised for the building of the Gatehouse Village and its flush toilets which opened in 2009. After Mary Ann’s death, Bob continued to support projects in the garden in her name and contributed startup funds for the current north end wall and pavilion project. Bob passed away in early 2024.
Unit 86 Wiley Garment Chair: Mary Ann Cahill
Garment labels made by Laurie Wilkey and attached by Peggy Garber.
Unit 86:
Arboretum Foundation volunteer unit 86—the Prentice Bloedel Unit—formed in 1967 to provide leadership in sustaining the Japanese Garden. Today, unit members train as docents and provide public and private tours of the garden throughout the season. They also help out with garden maintenance, event support, and some retail sales.
Artisans of Edo will be on display from August 1 through 31, 2024. The garden admission is free from Noon to closing on Thursday, August 1 for Free First Thursday. There will be a lecture on the yokai culture of Edo period “Yokai In the Seattle Japanese Garden - An Introduction to the Spooky Supernatural Creatures of Japan” by Nobuko Horikawa from 5pm-6pm and Wandering and Wondering butoh dance in the garden from 3:30-6:30pm on August 1.