HAPPY
“KANREKI”
TO OUR
GARDEN!
Visitors on the zigzag
bridge crossing the
Japanese Garden
pond. (Photo by
David Hollenback)
This summer marks the 60th anniversary
of the opening of the Seattle Japanese
Garden. We are pleased to share this
commemorative edition of the “Arboretum
Bulletin” in honor of this special milestone. A
favorite part of my role these last three years has
been the stewardship of the Garden, and learning
more about the people, plants, history and
guiding philosophies that grace the pages of this
issue and the lovely Garden we all enjoy today.
In Japan, one’s 60th birthday is a special
occasion called “kanreki”—generally represented
by the color red and signifying rebirth and
reentry into childhood. This felt like the perfect
theme for the anniversary season and the special
programming planned. Of course, no one could
have predicted the COVID-19-related closure! I’m hopeful that by the time you
read this, we will be closer to a limited reopening scenario.
Meanwhile, please enjoy the rich variety of features on the Garden’s
website (www.seattlejapanesegarden.org) and social media, including a
series of history blogs, haiku-of-the-day, and Michelle Kumata’s “Northwest
Nikkei” art installation.
One particularly meaningful part of the Kanreki season is the launch of a
special partnership with Green Legacy Hiroshima (GLH), a non-profit organization
(http://glh.unitar.org/) that propagates seeds from trees that survived
the atomic bombing. (See “A Legacy of Peace Planted in Our Garden,” page 25.)
The partnership furthers the long and meaningful relationship between Seattle
and Japan, acknowledging the past while shaping a greener and more beautiful
future. A ceremony to acknowledge the reception of the seeds will be held as
soon as is reasonable.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the Kanreki season of the Seattle Japanese
Garden. Kampai!
Jane Stonecipher
Executive Director, Arboretum Foundation
2 v Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin