The Garden has Been BusyT

rees may go dormant in thewinter, but the people leading theorganization have been working
like hungry beavers.
Mary Taylor, a devoted volunteer,
accepted the Treasurer’s position, andjoins Jim Card and Sue Hughes, as thethird officer of the 501(c) (3) organization. And, the opportunity to create a 1
to 3 year strategic plan came to fruition
with the fulfillment of this position. At
the forefront on the officers’ minds inthe strategic meetings was, “Does themission of the Garden nurture the needsof the community?” After reading thissummary, let us know if we pass.

DONORS, PARTNERS, & VENDORSGJG can not do what we do without
donors and partners. We value everyone’s support, whether through purchasing a touchstone paver, making
a small, heart-felt donation, donating
directly to the endowment fund at
Edward Jones, being a City of Greshamliaison, or donating your services as avendor, all help make the Garden what
it is today.

February 2022

Tsuru Soars
Friends of the Gresham Japanese Garden Newsletter

John Harrold, Hardscapes Coordinatorvolunteers and Garden Coordinators.
Gifts, food and a comprehensive agenda
was well received!
PROJECTS
As with many non-profits, The Friends
Seems we’re never short on projects.
of the Gresham Japanese Garden funcA few earmarked this year are: muraltions solely on volunteers. The question
painting at the barn, redesign the signin front of Tsuru Island, redo the stream many non-profits struggle with is how
do we sustain a healthy volunteer base?
WORKSHOPS
bed on Tsuru Island, install pavers
Through the feedback at our OrienOur bonsai, ikebana, and origami cultur- around the shade house, plant the Hiroal workshops have been well attended
shima Peace Tree, and research remodel- tation and Appreciation meeting, theofficers discovered the need to take new
and we will continue offering them ining the outside of the Resource Center.
volunteers through a more comprehen2022. (See schedule at: https://www.
PROGRAMS
sive orientation. We’ve grown immensely
greshamjapanesegarden.org/calendar). The program you may be familiar withfrom just managing Tsuru Island. The
COMMUNITY EVENTS
us talking about in the past is the Main
Gresham Japanese Garden represents
This summer, we need to reduce theCity Flora Exploratory Program. The
Tsuru Island, Ebetsu Plaza, Amblesidenumber of cultural events we offer. Ten
GBSD students are learning all about
Annex, a greenhouse, shade house, pollievents last year during our Summer
horticulture with our goal to help thesenator garden, educational program, free
Cultural Series was rewarding, but a bit
students get a job in the industry.
classes, workshops, and more!
taxing on our volunteers. This year we’re Our newest endeavor in the works is toalso using the time to research adding a create a Pruning Club. We don’t know
Volunteer Orientation Meetinglarge event such as: Winter Lights Festi- what it looks like yet, but there is a need
February 17thval, Obon Festival, or a Cherry Blossom
for the Garden to create viable, sustain5-6:30pm
Festival. Stay tuned as we figure it out.
able resources to maintain the beauty of
Resource Center, Main City Park
Tsuru Island AND educate gardeners.
EDUCATIONAL CLASSES
219 S. Main Street
We’ve received positive feedback fromVOLUNTEERS
the community and our instructors to
In order to operate with the help of
The Friends of the Gresham Japanesethe free, educational classes we offered volunteers there are specific policies and Garden volunteers collaborate and work
last year. We will continue them this year. procedures that must happen on a year- as a collective group of knowledgeable
Our first class is Spring Pruning, taught
ly basis, such as explaining where theindividuals for the good of the Garden
by Jim Card, March 19th, 1:00pm-3:00pm, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are
and the community. Please join us! Our
followed by Organic Gardening Fundastored; the contents of the MSDS book, first dedicated Volunteer Orientation
mentals, taught by Jim Buck via Zoom,
volunteer handbook policies, etc. Last
meeting is February 17th from 5-6:30pm.
April 4th, 6:30pm-8:00pm. More will bemonth, we combined an orientation
Refreshments will be served. Pleaseannounced soon.
meeting with an appreciation meeting
RSVP to Volunteers@GreshamJapaneseand invited 16 of our most dedicatedGarden.com.
Volunteer Newsletter Editors: Sue Hughes, Mary Taylor, and Mary Dickson. Photos by Bill Peterson.

Origami for EveryoneIn December’s newsletter we talked
where domestic abuse survivors lived.
about the origins of origami, and how
it doesn’t really matter where or whenorigami originated. What matters is it’sa form of art many people around theworld can practice and appreciate.
The Garden relishes the opportunity to
be able to offer this enjoyable and (canbe) challenging origami folding workshops taught by a qualified instructor. Her next workshop is Saturday, FebruEileen Holzman is a retired art educator ary 12th from 3-4:15pm, adaptable for all
who taught art in the New Jersey public level of students (8 years old and older).
Cost is $20. The theme is hearts! Sign
schools. She was also an art therapist
who taught origami to all ages in schools, up and join us on a creative journey ofpaper folding.
libraries, senior centers and in homes

PHOTOGRAPHER’S VIEW
.畠人の思ひの外や帰り花
hata-bito no omoi no hoka ya kaeri-banasurprising, the gardener…out-of-season
bloomsOut-of-season blossom” (kaeri-bana) is a winterseasonal expression— Issa 1803

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.
org/product/family-origami-folding/.
If you’re looking to learn more about
origami, one of Eileen’s favorite resources is Origami USA (origamiusa.org).

Rejuvenating the Karesansui

Kadomatsu: Brings Happiness to Tsuru IslandO

M

by Mary Dicksonby Mary Taylor

ne of our goals at the GJG thisyear is to rejuvenate the dry garden, or, as it is known in Japan,
karesansui. You’ll discover our karesansui to your right after crossing the moon
bridge into Tsuru Island. It’s tucked
behind a planting of juniper and laceleaf maple with a overhanging deadoracedar tree situated along the Island’ssouthern border.
This project will begin in February withsifting the existing gravel to rid it of pineneedles and other debris that have fallen and accumulated over the past years.
The task will be made easier by a sievecustom designed and crafted by oneof our volunteers. When this first phaseof restoration has been accomplished,
maintenance will begin. We’ll revisit thedry garden during Garden Saturdays toensure that it remains pristine.
You may often hear our dry garden
referred to as the “ocean” or the “sea.”
However, the word kare-san-sui translates to: dry/dead; mountain/rocks;
water. Rocks and sand are importantelements of a karesansui whereas plants
are often nonexistent. An important
Japanese aesthetic principle underlying
the dry garden is yohaku no bi, whichmeans “the beauty of blank space.” It is astyle that was developed in Japan in thelate Kamakura period (1185–1333).
Put another way, a dry garden is anarea that does not employ actual water,
yet may give the illusion of water, especially when gravel is raked into patterns
that suggest movement. The foundationof our karesansui is the large rocks (ishiin Japanese) which have been strategically placed to represent mountains.
In the future we will be raking gravel
around our ishi to suggest water.
The traditional karesansui is often
enclosed by a wall. We’ve chosen to use
small sections of bamboo fencing andplants to obtain this characteristic. The
openings between the fence pieces andthe plants allow the viewer to appreciate the dry garden from different angles.
One of the features positioned in our
dry garden is a black locust memorialcolumn honoring Hal “Skip” White, who
was a tireless volunteer here at Tsuru
Island for many years. The column wascrafted by Jim Card with kanji signifying“Friend of the Earth”.
The next time you stroll through Tsuru
Island be sure to check out the progress
we’ve made on rejuvenating our kare-

Winter Color

Mary Taylor raking the dry garden

sansui. Sit a while on
the nearby bench andenjoy the tranquility
created by the drygarden. How is thegravel looking? Did
we do well raking an
illusion of ripples
Memorial column
around the rocks?
Or, here’s another idea, after viewing
the karesansui, talk to us about volunteering at Tsuru Island! Both have thepotential to rejuvenate your life!

2022 Calendars for SaleGARDENER’S TIP
February is the optimal time for trimmingroses and many other shrubs such as
clematis, viburnums, hydrangeas, grapes
and other vines. Cool weather crops suchas spinach, arugula and carrots can bestarted especially in cold frames.
Check for slugs emerging from the soil
around hyacinths, tulips and other spring
flowers.
— Jim Buck, Garden Volunteer
and Organic Gardenerark Vossbrink believes inpromoting Japanese culture
in ways that Americans canunderstand. As a volunteer and bonsai
instructor at the Gresham Japanese Garden, he built a kadomatsu at the sides of
the Garden’s bridge during New Year’s. A
kadomatsu is a decorative arrangementof pine, bamboo, and rope that is placedon each side of an entrance from late
December to early January. Originally a
Shinto practice, it is now mostly a cultural tradition. Kadomatsu are made a bit
differently in various parts of Japan.
Although Mark’s mother was Japanese and grew up in Honolulu, she was
Kadomatsu at entrance to Tsuru Island
Methodist and didn’t promote Japanese Mark was born and grew up in Honoluculture in the family, other than cooklu and graduated from the University of ness on New
ing Japanese foods and doing ikebana. Oregon, majoring in plants and ceram- Year’s Day.”
Her parents came from Japan duringics. He has an extensive bonsai collection Pine and bamthe Meiji period (1868-1912). Mark iswhich he has exhibited many places. He boo are theproud that they came from Japan as
thinks it’s important to bring back some most importmerchants, starting businesses, import- of the Japanese arts and traditions, inant elements.
ing fine Japanese goods like art andcluding the kadomatsu. He likes the idea Plum flowers
Mark Vossbrinkthings that Japanese residents of Hawaii of “nonverbal symbolism” in traditions
bloom early inwanted. His father was a member of the such as the kadomatsu which greeted
the year, so they are seen as strong and
YMCA, and the family was well-respect- everyone entering the garden.
durable. Other decorations are added.
ed by their neighbors during World War
According to the website kokoro-jp.com, We appreciate Mark’s enthusiasm for
II. Following the war, his father’s store“Kadomatsu is the landmark for the Shinto continuing traditions such as kadomatsusold items to American servicemen,deity Toshigami-sama to enter your home. and bonsai. In the future, he plans to beincluding fine Japanese fabric. They also In Japan, it is believed that Toshigami-sa- come even more involved in the Gresham
made some of the best aloha Hawaiian ma comes to each family to bring happi- Japanese Garden.
shirts and sold ukuleles.

How Harmful is Ivy to Trees?
by Jim Buck

In this month’s Ask Jim4video, https://youtu.be/NaPsc_jbpA8 he talks about how golden euonymus and nandina varieties contribute to the beauty of a winter’s landscape.
It’s appropriate our photographer picked asplendid cover photo showcasing the golden euonymus on Tsuru Island.

$10.00 EACH
Support the Garden by purchasing ourGresham Japanese Garden 2022 calendar,featuring spectacular photos of the Garden
revealed throughout the seasons.
Send an email to:marketing@greshamjapanesegarden.com

W

e are learning more fromparks never equal the size you see inscientists on how trees deold growth forests—too many otherpend on other trees, plants
symbiotic relationships are missing.
and fungi in the ground, to thrive. Native Ivy roots are detrimental to a tree’s
old-growth forests demonstrate that
health and when summer droughts
symbiotic relationships are critical factors occur, rob moisture and nutrientsin tree and plant health and how intertrees desperately need. Ivy also
dependent they are. This is the reason
becomes a mono-culture destroyDouglas firs and cedar trees in our grassy ing native plants that trees dependon to grow. Ivy quickly climbs trees as
it’s exposed to light inducing flowering,followed by seeds that spread ivy further
into woodlands, creating more havoc on
the ecosystem.
While ivy may provide shelter to certain
animals and insects, it’s far more damaging. Please help the ecosystem andremove ivy climbing up your trees.

Rejuvenating the Karesansui

Kadomatsu: Brings Happiness to Tsuru IslandO

M

by Mary Dicksonby Mary Taylor

ne of our goals at the GJG thisyear is to rejuvenate the dry garden, or, as it is known in Japan,
karesansui. You’ll discover our karesansui to your right after crossing the moon
bridge into Tsuru Island. It’s tucked
behind a planting of juniper and laceleaf maple with a overhanging deadoracedar tree situated along the Island’ssouthern border.
This project will begin in February withsifting the existing gravel to rid it of pineneedles and other debris that have fallen and accumulated over the past years.
The task will be made easier by a sievecustom designed and crafted by oneof our volunteers. When this first phaseof restoration has been accomplished,
maintenance will begin. We’ll revisit thedry garden during Garden Saturdays toensure that it remains pristine.
You may often hear our dry garden
referred to as the “ocean” or the “sea.”
However, the word kare-san-sui translates to: dry/dead; mountain/rocks;
water. Rocks and sand are importantelements of a karesansui whereas plants
are often nonexistent. An important
Japanese aesthetic principle underlying
the dry garden is yohaku no bi, whichmeans “the beauty of blank space.” It is astyle that was developed in Japan in thelate Kamakura period (1185–1333).
Put another way, a dry garden is anarea that does not employ actual water,
yet may give the illusion of water, especially when gravel is raked into patterns
that suggest movement. The foundationof our karesansui is the large rocks (ishiin Japanese) which have been strategically placed to represent mountains.
In the future we will be raking gravel
around our ishi to suggest water.
The traditional karesansui is often
enclosed by a wall. We’ve chosen to use
small sections of bamboo fencing andplants to obtain this characteristic. The
openings between the fence pieces andthe plants allow the viewer to appreciate the dry garden from different angles.
One of the features positioned in our
dry garden is a black locust memorialcolumn honoring Hal “Skip” White, who
was a tireless volunteer here at Tsuru
Island for many years. The column wascrafted by Jim Card with kanji signifying“Friend of the Earth”.
The next time you stroll through Tsuru
Island be sure to check out the progress
we’ve made on rejuvenating our kare-

Winter Color

Mary Taylor raking the dry garden

sansui. Sit a while on
the nearby bench andenjoy the tranquility
created by the drygarden. How is thegravel looking? Did
we do well raking an
illusion of ripples
Memorial column
around the rocks?
Or, here’s another idea, after viewing
the karesansui, talk to us about volunteering at Tsuru Island! Both have thepotential to rejuvenate your life!

2022 Calendars for SaleGARDENER’S TIP
February is the optimal time for trimmingroses and many other shrubs such as
clematis, viburnums, hydrangeas, grapes
and other vines. Cool weather crops suchas spinach, arugula and carrots can bestarted especially in cold frames.
Check for slugs emerging from the soil
around hyacinths, tulips and other spring
flowers.
— Jim Buck, Garden Volunteer
and Organic Gardenerark Vossbrink believes inpromoting Japanese culture
in ways that Americans canunderstand. As a volunteer and bonsai
instructor at the Gresham Japanese Garden, he built a kadomatsu at the sides of
the Garden’s bridge during New Year’s. A
kadomatsu is a decorative arrangementof pine, bamboo, and rope that is placedon each side of an entrance from late
December to early January. Originally a
Shinto practice, it is now mostly a cultural tradition. Kadomatsu are made a bit
differently in various parts of Japan.
Although Mark’s mother was Japanese and grew up in Honolulu, she was
Kadomatsu at entrance to Tsuru Island
Methodist and didn’t promote Japanese Mark was born and grew up in Honoluculture in the family, other than cooklu and graduated from the University of ness on New
ing Japanese foods and doing ikebana. Oregon, majoring in plants and ceram- Year’s Day.”
Her parents came from Japan duringics. He has an extensive bonsai collection Pine and bamthe Meiji period (1868-1912). Mark iswhich he has exhibited many places. He boo are theproud that they came from Japan as
thinks it’s important to bring back some most importmerchants, starting businesses, import- of the Japanese arts and traditions, inant elements.
ing fine Japanese goods like art andcluding the kadomatsu. He likes the idea Plum flowers
Mark Vossbrinkthings that Japanese residents of Hawaii of “nonverbal symbolism” in traditions
bloom early inwanted. His father was a member of the such as the kadomatsu which greeted
the year, so they are seen as strong and
YMCA, and the family was well-respect- everyone entering the garden.
durable. Other decorations are added.
ed by their neighbors during World War
According to the website kokoro-jp.com, We appreciate Mark’s enthusiasm for
II. Following the war, his father’s store“Kadomatsu is the landmark for the Shinto continuing traditions such as kadomatsusold items to American servicemen,deity Toshigami-sama to enter your home. and bonsai. In the future, he plans to beincluding fine Japanese fabric. They also In Japan, it is believed that Toshigami-sa- come even more involved in the Gresham
made some of the best aloha Hawaiian ma comes to each family to bring happi- Japanese Garden.
shirts and sold ukuleles.

How Harmful is Ivy to Trees?
by Jim Buck

In this month’s Ask Jim4video, https://youtu.be/NaPsc_jbpA8 he talks about how golden euonymus and nandina varieties contribute to the beauty of a winter’s landscape.
It’s appropriate our photographer picked asplendid cover photo showcasing the golden euonymus on Tsuru Island.

$10.00 EACH
Support the Garden by purchasing ourGresham Japanese Garden 2022 calendar,featuring spectacular photos of the Garden
revealed throughout the seasons.
Send an email to:marketing@greshamjapanesegarden.com

W

e are learning more fromparks never equal the size you see inscientists on how trees deold growth forests—too many otherpend on other trees, plants
symbiotic relationships are missing.
and fungi in the ground, to thrive. Native Ivy roots are detrimental to a tree’s
old-growth forests demonstrate that
health and when summer droughts
symbiotic relationships are critical factors occur, rob moisture and nutrientsin tree and plant health and how intertrees desperately need. Ivy also
dependent they are. This is the reason
becomes a mono-culture destroyDouglas firs and cedar trees in our grassy ing native plants that trees dependon to grow. Ivy quickly climbs trees as
it’s exposed to light inducing flowering,followed by seeds that spread ivy further
into woodlands, creating more havoc on
the ecosystem.
While ivy may provide shelter to certain
animals and insects, it’s far more damaging. Please help the ecosystem andremove ivy climbing up your trees.

The Garden has Been BusyT

rees may go dormant in thewinter, but the people leading theorganization have been working
like hungry beavers.
Mary Taylor, a devoted volunteer,
accepted the Treasurer’s position, andjoins Jim Card and Sue Hughes, as thethird officer of the 501(c) (3) organization. And, the opportunity to create a 1
to 3 year strategic plan came to fruition
with the fulfillment of this position. At
the forefront on the officers’ minds inthe strategic meetings was, “Does themission of the Garden nurture the needsof the community?” After reading thissummary, let us know if we pass.

DONORS, PARTNERS, & VENDORSGJG can not do what we do without
donors and partners. We value everyone’s support, whether through purchasing a touchstone paver, making
a small, heart-felt donation, donating
directly to the endowment fund at
Edward Jones, being a City of Greshamliaison, or donating your services as avendor, all help make the Garden what
it is today.

February 2022

Tsuru Soars
Friends of the Gresham Japanese Garden Newsletter

John Harrold, Hardscapes Coordinatorvolunteers and Garden Coordinators.
Gifts, food and a comprehensive agenda
was well received!
PROJECTS
As with many non-profits, The Friends
Seems we’re never short on projects.
of the Gresham Japanese Garden funcA few earmarked this year are: muraltions solely on volunteers. The question
painting at the barn, redesign the signin front of Tsuru Island, redo the stream many non-profits struggle with is how
do we sustain a healthy volunteer base?
WORKSHOPS
bed on Tsuru Island, install pavers
Through the feedback at our OrienOur bonsai, ikebana, and origami cultur- around the shade house, plant the Hiroal workshops have been well attended
shima Peace Tree, and research remodel- tation and Appreciation meeting, theofficers discovered the need to take new
and we will continue offering them ining the outside of the Resource Center.
volunteers through a more comprehen2022. (See schedule at: https://www.
PROGRAMS
sive orientation. We’ve grown immensely
greshamjapanesegarden.org/calendar). The program you may be familiar withfrom just managing Tsuru Island. The
COMMUNITY EVENTS
us talking about in the past is the Main
Gresham Japanese Garden represents
This summer, we need to reduce theCity Flora Exploratory Program. The
Tsuru Island, Ebetsu Plaza, Amblesidenumber of cultural events we offer. Ten
GBSD students are learning all about
Annex, a greenhouse, shade house, pollievents last year during our Summer
horticulture with our goal to help thesenator garden, educational program, free
Cultural Series was rewarding, but a bit
students get a job in the industry.
classes, workshops, and more!
taxing on our volunteers. This year we’re Our newest endeavor in the works is toalso using the time to research adding a create a Pruning Club. We don’t know
Volunteer Orientation Meetinglarge event such as: Winter Lights Festi- what it looks like yet, but there is a need
February 17thval, Obon Festival, or a Cherry Blossom
for the Garden to create viable, sustain5-6:30pm
Festival. Stay tuned as we figure it out.
able resources to maintain the beauty of
Resource Center, Main City Park
Tsuru Island AND educate gardeners.
EDUCATIONAL CLASSES
219 S. Main Street
We’ve received positive feedback fromVOLUNTEERS
the community and our instructors to
In order to operate with the help of
The Friends of the Gresham Japanesethe free, educational classes we offered volunteers there are specific policies and Garden volunteers collaborate and work
last year. We will continue them this year. procedures that must happen on a year- as a collective group of knowledgeable
Our first class is Spring Pruning, taught
ly basis, such as explaining where theindividuals for the good of the Garden
by Jim Card, March 19th, 1:00pm-3:00pm, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are
and the community. Please join us! Our
followed by Organic Gardening Fundastored; the contents of the MSDS book, first dedicated Volunteer Orientation
mentals, taught by Jim Buck via Zoom,
volunteer handbook policies, etc. Last
meeting is February 17th from 5-6:30pm.
April 4th, 6:30pm-8:00pm. More will bemonth, we combined an orientation
Refreshments will be served. Pleaseannounced soon.
meeting with an appreciation meeting
RSVP to Volunteers@GreshamJapaneseand invited 16 of our most dedicatedGarden.com.
Volunteer Newsletter Editors: Sue Hughes, Mary Taylor, and Mary Dickson. Photos by Bill Peterson.

Origami for EveryoneIn December’s newsletter we talked
where domestic abuse survivors lived.
about the origins of origami, and how
it doesn’t really matter where or whenorigami originated. What matters is it’sa form of art many people around theworld can practice and appreciate.
The Garden relishes the opportunity to
be able to offer this enjoyable and (canbe) challenging origami folding workshops taught by a qualified instructor. Her next workshop is Saturday, FebruEileen Holzman is a retired art educator ary 12th from 3-4:15pm, adaptable for all
who taught art in the New Jersey public level of students (8 years old and older).
Cost is $20. The theme is hearts! Sign
schools. She was also an art therapist
who taught origami to all ages in schools, up and join us on a creative journey ofpaper folding.
libraries, senior centers and in homes

PHOTOGRAPHER’S VIEW
.畠人の思ひの外や帰り花
hata-bito no omoi no hoka ya kaeri-banasurprising, the gardener…out-of-season
bloomsOut-of-season blossom” (kaeri-bana) is a winterseasonal expression— Issa 1803

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.
org/product/family-origami-folding/.
If you’re looking to learn more about
origami, one of Eileen’s favorite resources is Origami USA (origamiusa.org).