Huntington’s Japanese Garden Celebrates 100 Years

The Japanese Garden at the Huntington Botanical Gardens has a new look for its 100th anniversary.  The renovated and expanded garden features a lovely rebuilt ceremonial teahouse named Seifu-an (the Arbor of Pure Breeze), with a surrounding tea garden that has a stream and waterfall.  Seifu-an will be a special place to hold tea ceremonies.

Urasenke Iemoto Grand Master Soshitsu Sen XVI was present to inaugurate the tea house on April 12, 2012.   He was with Consul General Jun Niimi; Mayor of San Marino, Dr. Richard Sun; and Huntington associates at the unveiling of the plaque.

One of the most popular gardens at the Huntington, the Japanese Garden offers tranquility to its visitors, as well as educational programs in the many garden arts of Japan.  With the addition of the teahouse and the restored Japanese house, the Huntington will increase its programs on Japanese culture.

In his remarks at the Garden’s opening, Consul General Jun Niimi thanked the Huntington for their participation in the National Cherry Tree Planting Initiative by providing more than 1,000 trees to the community.  The garden renovation was “a story of cross-cultural teamwork and friendship,” he said and thanked the many people involved for their efforts:

This dedication is the result of a partnership that not only builds the bridge between Japan and the U.S., but also enriches the community at large. Visitors from around the world can enjoy the beauty and harmony of Japanese plants and architecture. Further, the Huntington’s excellent programming creates an atmosphere to learn about Japanese culture.  With the generous donation of Seifu-An teahouse by the Pasadena Buddhist Church, and with the cooperation with Urasenke Tankokai of Los Angeles, the Huntington can demonstrate the Japanese traditional Way of Tea, or Chado. This Japanese Garden will serve as a wonderful cross-cultural experience for all its visitors.

Grand Master Soshitsu Sen gave an evening lecture on the message of ceremonial tea in the modern world.  As an illustration of how to approach everyday life, he spoke of his grandfather, Tantansai’s philosophy of the spirit of “Ichi-go Ichi-e,” or “each meeting a unique moment.”  As examples illustrating this philosophy, Grand Master Sen said that whether a day turns out to be good or bad, accept it with equanimity; and give consideration to those you find yourself with at the moment.

The following day, on April 13, Grand Master Sen participated in the 60th anniversary celebrations of Chado Urasenke Tankokai Los Angeles Association.

Golden State Bonsai Society pioneer members in America were honored at the Huntington on April 11, 2012, the day before the opening of the teahouse.  The Huntington’s Bonsai Courts and Zen Garden are prominent features of the Japanese Garden.