The Garden Path Perspectives January/February 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS OF TABLE CEO THE FROM HAIKU 3 Letter from the CEO Steve Bloom In the pine’s depths A chickadee hesitates The snow continues 4 Events Calendar January – February –Peter Kendall Dear Members, Akemashite omedetō gozaimasu! Happy New Year! 5 Member News It's been three months since I embarked on my residency, and what a whirlwind it has been! In that time, I have set up my temporary "home" in Tokyo, and I was honored to speak at the 100th anniversary of the Garden Society of Japan in 6 Garden News Kyoto. I’ve travelled to São Paolo, Brazil to share the Garden's story at Japan SENIOR STAFF Nurtured by Nature: How Japanese House and discuss possible future collaborations. Designed by Kengo Kuma, Gardens Support our Bodies and Minds CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steve Bloom Japan House is the creation of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with recently DEPUTY DIRECTOR Cynthia Johnson Haruyama opened locations in São Paolo, Los Angeles, and London. I’ll head to London, 8 Culture & Education THE ARLENE SCHNITZER CURATOR 1 England later this month to continue the conversation. 2019 Garden+ Lecture Series OF CULTURE, ART, AND EDUCATION Aki Nakanishi GARDEN CURATOR Sadafumi Uchiyama As I talk with scholars, gardeners, craftspeople, directors, and government leaders, I am reminded how looking at life from many perspectives is incredibly 10 Art in the Garden CURATOR EMERITA Diane Durston valuable. It enables us to learn about ourselves and others. It helps us view our Ice & Stone CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER Lisa Christy own lives in different ways. It enriches our personal experiences. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Diane Freeman CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Cheryl Ching Sharing perspectives is integral to the Garden’s mission of mutual respect and 12 Keepers of the Craft A Conversation with Our Gardeners CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Tom Cirillo harmony. As I travel, these themes are echoed with each newly opened door DIRECTOR OF RETAIL Ashley McQuade and in every newly created friendship. DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES Mike Rego 14 Golden Crane Society The beginning of the new year is also the time to think about setting intentions and taking good care of ourselves. I encourage you to read the Nurtured by Nature BOARD OF TRUSTEES article (on pages 6-7) of this magazine to learn more about how Japanese PRESIDENT Dorie Vollum gardens can restore our bodies and minds. 16 Global Ambassadors PRESIDENT-ELECT Robert Zagunis & Tribute Gifts VICE PRESIDENTS On January 1, in observance of New Year’s Day, we open Portland Japanese Ann Carter, Katherine Frandsen, Carol L. Otis M.D., Dr. Calvin Tanabe Garden exclusively to you, our members (10am – 2pm). There’s also no better way to kick off 2019 than to attend O-Shogatsu, the Japanese New Year festival, TREASURER Drake Snodgrass 17 Golden Crane Legacy Society at the Garden on Sunday, January 13. & Annual Fund Donations SECRETARY Dede DeJager MEMBERS This year, we have a lot of incredibly exciting programming that helps us look Suzanne Storms Berselli, Gwyneth Gamble Booth, at life from varied perspectives. Whether it’s seeing a waterfall embedded in Jimmy Crumpacker, Dean M. Dordevic, 18 Photo Gallery Michael Ellena, Bruce Guenther, Bill Hughes, a viewing stone in our upcoming Ice & Stone Art in the Garden exhibition (see Year of the Boar Janelle Jimerson, Gail Jubitz, John Kodachi, Martin Lotti, Douglas Lovett, CPA, Lindley Morton, pages 10-11), or how the Garden itself changes with each season, there are Darren Nakata, Piper A. Park, Cathy Rudd, Paul Schommer, Frances von Schlegell, Susan Winkler countless ways to appreciate different perspectives and start 2019 with great care and intention. 20 Did You Know? FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIR Greg Fitz-Gerald Here’s to the New Year and new perspectives! PRESIDENT Steve Bloom Sincerely, VICE PRESIDENT Carmen Wong ABOUT THE COVER: Michael Kenna’s photograph, titled SECRETARY/TREASURER Diane Freeman Rock Formations, Study 2, is one of the photographs of Hokkaido that will MEMBERS Trish Adams, Jimmy Crumpacker, Dede DeJager, be part of the Ice & Stone exhibition Joshua Husbands, Douglas Lovett, CPA, opening in February as part of our James D. Lynch, Allen Mercer, Dee Ross celebration of the Year of Hokkaido. Steve THE GARDEN PATH FRONT COVER Michael Kenna FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS BACK COVER Tyler Quinn Email [email protected] 1 Christina Sjogren 2 THE GARDEN PATH JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019 3 EVENTS MEMBER NEWS MEMBER January February 1 Members Only - New Year’s Day 3 Storytelling (10am - 2pm) 9 Koto Harp Performance 5 Koto Harp Performance 2/9- Art in the Garden: Ice & Stone 12 Shakuhachi Flute Performance 3/24 Drawn to Manga (panel discussion) 16 Member Exhibition Exclusive: Ice & Stone 13 O-Shogatsu (New Year’s Festival Celebration) 18 Katazome Fabric Dyeing Demonstration 19 Opening of Hariko Folk Toys Exhibition 24 Ikebana Demonstration 1/19- Hariko Folk Toys Exhibit 2/3 (Tanabe Gallery) 1/26- Hina Matsuri Doll Display Yun Free Stock Photos 3/3 21 Koto Harp Performance 26 Shamisen Performance Senior Benefits in 2019 O-Shogatsu Celebrations 27 Ikebana Demonstration In 2019, we’re adjusting senior benefits to ensure O-Shogatsu is the most important time of the year in Japan. 28 Bonsai Demonstration basic levels of membership (i.e. all levels below Families prepare weeks in advance by cleaning the house and Patron) are fully tax-deductible. Instead of paying off debts to welcome ancestral spirits and the toshigami complimentary tickets (which can affect the tax- ( ), or Shinto gods or spirits, of the incoming year. Join us 年神 deductibility of membership), we will be offering for a peaceful visit during member-only hours on January 1 or a seniors (members 65 and up) an additional festive public celebration on January 13. month of membership when you sign up or renew. RECURRING CULTURAL CORNER DEMONSTRATIONS Your thoughts on this change are important to us. IN THE CATHY RUDD CULTURAL CORNER Please share any feedback with the Membership Member-Only Hours Department at [email protected]. Tea Ceremony: January 6, 9, 19, 23, 30; February 2, 10, 16, 23. January 1 10am - 2pm Bonsai: January 7, 14, 20, 28; February 4, 11, 17, 25. Member Exhibition We invite members and guests to visit for a serene walk Exclusive: Ice & Stone to welcome the New Year. The Umami Café will be serving complimentary festival-style tea. Saturday, February 16 All events are subject to change based on the availability of our wonderful volunteers. 8:30 - 10am, Tour at 9am New Year Festivities Please check japanesegarden.org/events or call 503-542-0280 to confirm these events. Savor a warm cup of tea while taking in the January 13 serenity of the Flat Garden on a wintry morning. 10am - 2pm Then, join this Member-Only tour of Ice & Stone: Suiseki Viewing Stones and the Hokkaido Photo- On January 13, festivities will include an authentic tea cere- graphy of Michael Kenna. Glean insight from our mony, a demonstration and workshop of ink-wash brush curatorial team about these beautiful stones that painting, koto harp performance, a traditional New Year card have been transformed by the elements over game called hyakunin isshu karuta, and a shishimai ( ) time into shapes resembling landscapes, distant 獅子舞 lion dance (pictured above). Take a stroll around the Garden mountains, animals, and other objects in nature. where you will see traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, Paired with the viewing stones is a selection of and plum – the “three friends of winter” – either affixed to black and white photography of ruggedly poetic pillars (called sho-chiku-bai / ) or in plantings at gates Hokkaido landscapes by Seattle photographer 松竹梅 (called kadomatsu / ). These small decorative displays Michael Kenna, one of the most influential land- 門松 are where the toshigami are said to be manifest, bringing good scape photographers of his generation. Read health and prosperity for the coming year. more about this beautiful exhibition on page 10. 4 THE GARDEN PATH JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019 5 GARDEN NEWS GARDEN 2 IMPROVE YOUR CONCENTRATION LET GO OF STRESS AND ANXIETY Wandering through a garden renews your ability to stay Strolling through the lush greenery of a Japanese garden focused. Researchers at the University of Melbourne found can have relaxing effects. Several studies at Japanese uni- that looking at natural vegetation restores a person’s atten- versities have found that spending time in nature signifi- tion span (Lee, et al. 2015). cantly reduces stress levels (Park et al. 2010). Researchers at University of Sussex found that listening to the sounds A recent study found that groups who walked in the woods of nature, (e.g. water falling) increases a feeling of serenity for a brief period showed a 20 percent improvement on (Praag et al. 2017). memory tests, while those who walked down a city street 1 did not have any considerable improvement whatsoever As you walk through the Garden, gaze upon our (Bratman, et al. 2015). Upper and Lower Ponds. Stop for a moment and close your eyes. Let the sound of Heavenly Falls While walking in the Portland Japanese Garden, soothe and relax you. Contemplate the expanse allow your mind to rest as you observe seasonal of the Sand and Stone Garden and hear the wind Nurtured by Nature: elements. No matter the time of year, the Garden rustling through the trees. Let the sounds you hear offers captivating scenery such as the vibrant fall wash away stress and anxiety. How Japanese Gardens Support colors of the Japanese lace leaf maple in autumn, or our Bodies and Minds the reflection of the Snow Viewing Lantern against In Japanese gardens, winding and uneven path- the water during the winter.