Looking Back at Where We’ve Been: Reflection and Appreciation
The Pavilion: 1980
The Garden Pavilion which was in Professor Tono’s original plan was not fully completed until 1980. It was dedicated on the same day Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. The opening of the Pavilion marked a pivotal time in the Garden’s history because we transformed from simply being a Japanese garden to a public experience with art and cultural programming.
The Antique Gate: 1976
Photo caption: The antique gate was installed in 1976, it sat in a crate for some time as it was originally meant to be located by the pavilion. It was assembled in its current location just above the parking area in 1976.
Sand and Stone Garden: 1967
Photo caption: Professor Takuma Tono placing stones in the Sand and Stone Garden. The stones came from Wapinitia Pass near Warm Springs, OR.
The Garden Shuttle: 1979
Photo caption: The original Japanese Garden Society shuttle, this photo was taken in 1979. The Garden currently operates two shuttles.Â
The Kashintei Tea House: 1968
Photo caption: The Kashintei Tea House was constructed in Japan, shipped in pieces and reassembled in the Garden in 1968.
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Without question, there are many exciting changes coming to the Garden this year. But before we move forward, let’s first stop, look back, and recognize where we’ve been.
The Portland Japanese Garden was inspired in the late 1950’s by a group of visionary Portland citizens. Their reasons for building a Japanese garden were twofold: providing the citizens of Portland with a garden of great beauty and serenity, while forging a healing connection to Japan on the heels of World War II.
The founders conceived the idea of building a Japanese garden on the site of the old Zoo in Washington Park. The site was dedicated in 1961 and Professor Takuma Tono of Tokyo Agricultural University was retained to design the Garden.
Professor Tono’s plan with five different garden styles was quite a departure from gardens in Japan which typically follow one singular style. His intention was to represent different historical developments in Japanese garden architecture and through that communicate Japanese culture.
In January 1963, the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon was formed and in 1967, the Garden formally opened to the public for the summer. Admission was $.50 for adults and $.25 for students. That year, just over 28,000 people came before the Garden closed for the winter.
