Portland Japanese Garden

Portland, OR— A dazzling collection of pottery, glass, jewelry, wood carvings, textiles, and more will be on display at the Portland Japanese Garden’s Behind the Shoji Art Show and Sale. This one-of-a-kind annual art exhibit features Asian-inspired original artwork and unique gifts for sale—all within the setting of this most beautiful of gardens.

“This is never the same show twice,” said Paula Wheeler, the Garden’s Retail Manager and Buyer. “We are excited to present work by several new artists, and the artists we’ve worked with for years keep growing and changing and their art in new and exciting ways.”

Please refer to: www.japanesegarden.com/press/reunion

Portland, Oregon – From damsels to demons, the exquisite miniature carvings known as netsuke were the essence of understated chic during the Edo period (1615–1868) in Japan. Collected internationally for over a century, these exquisitely carved works of art were used as toggles to attach lacquered medicine boxes and tobacco pouches to the obi sashes of fashionably dressed samurai and townsmen, whose traditional kimono garments had no pockets.

Carved with consummate artistry into a wide variety of imaginative shapes by master craftsmen, netsuke have much to tell us about the customs and folklore of traditional Japan. Worn partially concealed beneath the outer cloaks of the wearer, they served as good luck charms, as humorous personal mascots, or as treasured miniature works of art.

Portland, OR – On July 11 the Portland Japanese Garden celebrates its annual Tanabata Festival from 1-3pm. Bring the whole family to join in the traditional Tanabata custom of making origami paper ornaments, writing wishes (in Japanese!) on colorful strips of paper called tanzaku and hanging them on fresh-cut bamboo branches in the hope that your dreams will come true. With the help of volunteer student teachers from Japan, children and parents write their wishes, make paper ornaments and decorate bamboo branches to take home for good luck—all to the gentle music of Tokyo-born guitarist Toshi Onizuka.

Portland, OR – With art that emulates the beauty of the Portland Japanese Garden, Artist Alliance Northwest will hold their art show and sale May 21-31 in the Garden’s Pavilion. This unique art show, titled Translations, features the work of twelve NW artists striving to capture the beauty of the Garden through a variety of art mediums.

Artists of the AANW work in monoprints, collage, pastels, acrylic, and watercolor. As a group, they come together to support their common interest in art—giving each other encouragement as well as critiques—and to share their life experiences in the world of creativity. Their artwork for this show focuses on creating new ideas and interpretations of the Portland Japanese Garden throughout the seasons.

Portland, Oregon – A major installation by an international ikebana world master, an exhibition of rare, exquisite netsuke, lectures by both a Los Angeles Asian Art Museum Curator and a world-renown Japanese garden designer, celebration of two key Japanese festivals—all followed by a reunion of the Garden’s past and present Garden Directors—adds up to a summer of extraordinary culture and art at the Portland Japanese Garden.

Portland, Oregon – Children’s Day is an annual Japanese festival that has its roots in the older observance of Tango no Sekku, which especially during the Edo period (1605-1868) was a day set aside as an occasion to encourage young men to learn the virtues of manhood, including courage and perseverance in all things.  After World War II, the festival was broadened to include all children and renamed Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day.

Portland, Ore. – Mother’s Day is always special at the Portland Japanese Garden and this year proves no exception. Families and friends are welcome to stroll through the Garden to experience this most special of settings during the spring, and trained guides will be stationed throughout the Garden to answer questions about the Garden’s plants, history, and culture. The Garden Gift Store will have many special items just for moms as well.

Portland, Oregon – In 2007, pianist Lisa Nakamichi played to a sold-out house at the Garden as part of the East Meets East Concert. Back by popular demand, Lisa will return to the Garden on April 29 to play a solo program entitled Sasameyuki: The Fragile Beauty of Cherry Blossoms. On this special evening, Lisa will play selections from Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Liszt, and more.

Portland, Ore. – The Portland Japanese Garden will be holding its popular annual Plant Sale on Saturday, April 24 in the upper parking lot of the Garden. This sale gives garden enthusiasts an ideal opportunity to browse a wide selection of plants native to Asia as well as plants found in Asian gardens.

More than 25 Portland-area nurseries will be selling an outstanding selection of conifers, peonies, camellias, hydrangea, bamboo, bonsai, Japanese maples, azaleas, rhododendrons, and more. “These native Asian plants can be used in any garden and are particularly suitable for Asian-themed gardens,” commented Virginia Harmon, the Garden’s Director Grounds Maintenance.