Y on the Fly Summer Camp visits the Japan House Gardens.
Y on the Fly Summer Camp visits the Japan House Gardens.
Entrance to the Japan House Tea Garden.
Entrance to the Japan House Tea Garden.
Autumn at Japan House.
Autumn at Japan House.
Y on the Fly Summer Camp visits the Japan House Gardens.
Y on the Fly Summer Camp visits the Japan House Gardens.
Entrance to the Japan House Tea Garden.
Entrance to the Japan House Tea Garden.
Autumn at Japan House.
Autumn at Japan House.
Images of the Japan House gardens
Japan House interns gardening in the fall of 2023.
1
By Diana Liao
The Japan House gardens are an ever-evolving space and living laboratory for students and visitors to be immersed in Japanese aesthetics.
The concept of “ma” translates to empty space – it is not simply nothingness but an intentional absence that inspires the imagination. Within Japanese aesthetics, ma can be found in the silent pauses of the tea ceremony, the deliberate space between flowers within an arrangement, or simply what isn’t there in a Japanese garden.
Japan House interns gardening in the fall of 2023.
John Powell, Japanese garden expert and consultant, talking with James Bier, Japan House Gardens visionary.
3
The gardens were designed and created by James Bier (MS Geography ’57) from nothing. His vision and dedication created a flourishing tea garden (chaniwa) and dry rock garden (karesansui) which continue to grow and inspire visitors. The gardens continued to expand with the addition of key features such as the Sen Cherry Allée, Nick Offerman Azumaya, and Kimiko Gunji Dedication Bridge. Japan House offers garden tours and workshops to students and the community as a means of cultivating deeper engagement with the space. As a living classroom, the gardens offer an insight to the seasonal beauty found within Japanese aesthetics. When simply viewing the gardens, visitors are encouraged to quietly walk through and be immersed in the full sensory experience.
John Powell, Japanese garden expert and consultant, talking with James Bier, Japan House Gardens visionary.
The dry rock garden evokes seasonality through the raked patterns such as this checkered pattern executed for Tsukimi to resemble rice paddies.
3
The gardens are a community space maintained by volunteers ranging from experienced gardeners, hobbyists, and students such as Japan House interns and Alpha Phi Omega members. From picking up sticks to sweeping leaves, the meticulous attention given to the smallest details enhances one’s connection to nature and the community formed from caring for the gardens. Gardener Susan Kapacinskas who works with students and volunteers says, “This is my ninth summer working in the Japan House Gardens. It’s one of the most interesting gardens I’ve ever worked in –— from learning about the dry garden (karesansui) to the tea gardens, and the meticulous pruning and maintenance we do so that visitors reach a state of tranquility. There’s always something new I’m learning and doing here.”
The dry rock garden evokes seasonality through the raked patterns such as this checkered pattern executed for Tsukimi to resemble rice paddies.
4
In recent years, Japan House has offered intensive gardening classes under the guidance of John Powell, Japanese garden expert and consultant. “Working with John Powell has brought a new understanding to Japanese gardening for me. He has showed us the deeper meaning of elements in our tea garden giving me a new sense of awareness of them. It’s also taught me to slow down and truly experience the gardens’ peace,” says Gardener Lois Sjoken. Japan House plans to cultivate the next generation of stewards to grow alongside the gardens and ensure they will continue to prosper for future generations to enjoy. As quickly as seasons come and go, the gardens teach visitors of the ephemeral nature of life and to simply enjoy being present in the moment.
If you are interested in a garden tour, volunteering in the gardens, or supporting the gardens, contact japanhouse@illinois.edu.