March 2021 - Early Spring Visit to the Garden

A March visit to the Seattle Japanese Garden reveals the structural beauty of the plantings with the promise of budding new growth.    (All photos by Peggy Garber)

See More Photos under the Special Events tab.

Reading Kimonos in Modern Japanese Literature

The Case of Kōda Aya

Join us for "Reading Kimonos in Modern Japanes Literature: The Case of Kōda Aya" with Japan Foundation Former Fellow  Dr. Michiko Suzuki, who will explore depictions of ikimonos in modern Japanese literature.  Focusing on the writer Kōda Aya (1904-90), this talk covers the ways kimonos serve critical roles in literary interpretation, as a unique means of communication between author and reader.

Time & Location:  march 29, 5pm PT - Online

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.  RSVP  HERE

Learn more here: Reading Kimonos in Modern Japanese Literature - The Japan Foundation, New York.

Kasagi: Gates Of Hope

"In 2013, two nearly identical beams of a sacred Shinto gate landed on the Oregon coast after having been tragically washed away in the Great East japan Earthquake of 2011.  After traveling 5,000 miles across the Pacific, incredibly, these two crossbeams, known as kasagi, landed within 120 miles of each other less than one month apart.  Virtually unidentifiable, they could have been abandoned, forgotten, and lost forever.  Instead, the quest to return the two battered pieces of wood has brought people together from across the globe as a message of support for the people of Japan.  What unfolds is the story of what connects us as humans:  life, loss, perseverance, and hope."

Link to a 90 minute documentary by Portland Japanese Garden on YouTube:  Kasagi: Gates of Hope Full Documentary.

Article by Portland Japanese Garden
Shared by Nat Suyenaga
(Nat also provided a pdf of the story.)
(If you would like a copy of the pdf, contact Peggy@Garbers.com)

Seattle Japanese Garden to Reopen Saturday March 6, 2021

Due to current health and safety guidelines regarding Covid-19, the garden is restricting visitor numbers.  For visits Friday-Sunday and holidays, tickets must be purchased in advance.  On Tuesday-Thursday, walk-up visitors are welcomed into the garden on a first-come, first-served basis.  Please be aware that if the garden is at capacity, walk-up entry may not be available.

There are not yet links on the garden web site for advance ticket purchase.  For more information about the garden opening, go to the Japanese Garden Web site.

To make a Reservation to visit the Garden, Go to:

Seattle Parks and Recreation

NAJGA History of Japanese Gardens in U.S. - Webinar Series

The North American Japanese Garden Association together with the Japan Foundation is presenting a 14 Webinar series focusing on the history and development of Japanese Gardens in the U.S.  The first program was Thursday Feb. 18th at 4pm titled "130 Years of Public Japanese Gardens in the United States: Series Introduction," presented by Makoto Suzuki & Kendall Brown.  Future webinars in the series will be presented every Thursday at 4pm.  The webinars are free.

For a full list of webinars and sign up links, click here.

February Snow in the Seattle Japanese Garden

Two melt days after a 12" snowfall, the Seattle Japanese Garden is still covered in snow.  It is magical.  See more photos on the Special Events page.

(All images by Peggy Garber)