The Garden Path
Connections to Japan

August/September 2023

Letter from the CEO

H A I KU

FROM THE CEO

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

3Beneath the maple
flickering shadows4

Membership News
Updates & Upcoming Events

glimmers of sunlight– Peter Kendall

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60th Anniversary Special
Japanese Dignitaries Who Have
Visited the Garden

S E N I O R S TA F F
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steve Bloom
DEPUTY DIRECTOR Cynthia Johnson Haruyama

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Art Exhibition
Takahiro Iwasaki:
Nature of Perception
Japan InstituteExecutive Director Hired forJapan Office

THE ARLENE SCHNITZER CURATOROF CULTURE, ART, AND EDUCATION
Aki Nakanishi
CHIEF CURATOR AND DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONALJAPANESE GARDEN TRAINING CENTER
Sadafumi Uchiyama
GARDEN CURATOR Hugo Torii
CHIEF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER Lisa Christy

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Donor Profile
Phoenix Legacy Society: Dr. Marilyn
L. Rudin, MD & Richard S. Testut, Jr.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Diane Freeman
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Jason Sipe
DIRECTOR OF GUEST EXPERIENCE Stephan Ferreira

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Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer Generosity Helps Secure
Garden Equipment
Garden Update
Board of Trustees Member
HonoredGolden Crane Recognition Society

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO Kathy Parmenter
SPECIAL ADVISOR, JAPAN INSTITUTE’S INTERNATIONALEXCHANGE FORUM
Paula Esguerra

CURATOR EMERITA Diane Durston
BOA RD OF TRUSTEESPRESIDENT Drake Snodgrass

VICE PRESIDENTS Doug de Weese, Cal Tanabe

Phoenix Legacy Society

TREASURER Jeff Wolfstone
SECRETARY Trish Adams

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Path to Peace Campaign
Tribute Gifts & Donations

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Photo Gallery

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60th Anniversary Fun Fact

MEMBERSJim Coonan, Bart Eberwein,
Katherine Frandsen, Sally Gibson,
Jeanne Giordano Frasca, Ronna Hoffman,
Janelle Jimerson, Yoshio Kurosaki,
Naoki Kuze, Polly Lauser,
Martin Lotti, Paul Loving,
Travers Hill Polak, Sue Reynolds,
Cathy Rudd, Dan Schwoerer,
Mark Stell, John Tarpey,
Dorie Vollum, Alice Wiewel,
Robert Zagunis
TRUSTEE EMERITA Maggie DrakeF O U N D AT I O N B O A R D
CHAIR Dee Ross
PRESIDENT Steve Bloom
VICE PRESIDENT Dede DeJager
SECRETARY/TREASURER Diane Freeman
MEMBERS
Sandy Chandler, Greg Fitz-Gerald,
Katherine Frandsen, James D. Lynch,
Allen Mercer, Valerie Sasaki,
Carmen Wong

FRONT COVER

Jonathan Ley

BACK COVER

William “Robbie” Robinson

2

T H E G A R D E N PAT H

Portland Japanese Garden’s story has always
been about the people and the connections
made between them. Back in 1959, citizens from
Portland and our sister city, Sapporo, Japan,
came together to re-establish ties between
Portland and Japan in the aftermath of WorldWar II. That moment brought profound change
to the Portland community and forged an
enduring bond with Japan that continues togrow every year.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JAPAN OFFICE Misako Ito

PRESIDENT-ELECT Paul Schommer

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Dear Members,

Mayor Terry Schrunk (1957-1973) and U.S.
Senator Mark Hatfield (1967-1997) had said
this on the establishment of Portland Japanese
Garden in the 60s: “All of us associated with thisinspiring project feel that the Japanese Garden
in Washington Park will add another gem inPortland’s crown. Not only will it enhance thetourist appeal of our city, but it will serve tostrengthen the close bonds that already exist
between our peoples.”We’ve had the opportunity to share ourexperience and our mission of Inspiring
Harmony and Peace with people all around theworld. And yet, the foundation of our journey
has always been right here in Portland, withthis core community. On September 17th, we’replanning for a celebration of our anniversary
with our members, which I hope you can join!
Each of you are more important to the Garden
than ever as we embark on the next 60 years.
Thank you for your continued and irreplaceablesupport of the Garden’s past, present, andfuture.

With gratitude,

Steve Bloom
Chief Executive Officer

These overseas friendships and partnerships
were an invaluable element of the Garden’sestablishment in 1963 and have grownexponentially. Now in 2023, the significanceof Portland Japanese Garden in Japan has
manifested itself in a variety of ways, including
a dedicated office and staff in Tokyo, anInternational Advisory Board comprised ofadmired and respected thought leaders fromboth Japan and the world abroad, multiple visits
to Portland Japanese Garden from high-ranking
Japanese governmental officials, and mostrecently, a 60th anniversary gala in Tokyo thatwelcomed many of the nation’s most notable
figures.

FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Email marketing@japanesegarden.org

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Member News & Events
Member Celebration of the 60th Anniversary
2023 marks Portland Japanese Garden’s 60th Anniversary. Throughout the year we’ve been reflecting on the
Garden’s history, exploring the transformation of its physical spaces, and sharing how it has become a cultural
cornerstone of Portland and beyond. Much has changed over the last 60 years, but at our core has always
been our community of members, donors, and volunteers.
Join the Garden in an all-day celebration that will feature a special anniversary ikebana display and cultural
demonstrations that showcase our rich history of community partnerships and educational offerings, as well
as family-friendly activities. The afternoon will transition into a special evening celebration just for members.
Details can be found at japanesegarden.org/60th-celebration

Jonathan Ley

O-Tsukimi, The Moonviewing Festival
Upcoming Exhibition
Takahiro Iwasaki: Nature of Perception
Japan Institute Artist-in-Residence, Takahiro Iwasaki, is bringing
one of his awe-inspiring Reflection Model sculptures to Portland.
These architectural artworks showcase Iwasaki’s meticulous
craftsmanship and use of traditional Japanese carpentry
techniques to recreate historic buildings. During his residency,
Iwasaki is expected to create a counterpoint to his historicallyinspired work, by transforming everyday materials such as ducttape, clothing threads and toothbrushes, into extraordinary
miniature landscapes that reflect our contemporary city.
In addition to visiting this latest exhibition, members and those in
the Golden Crane Recognition Society will have exclusive accessto experience the art ahead of the exhibition’s opening. For times
and dates, go to japanesegarden.org/events

Moonviewing, or O-Tsukimi in Japanese, is the custom of gazing at the full moon. This beloved
annual festival coincides with the harvest moon. During Moonviewing, people gather to appreciate
the moon’s beauty and pray for good fortune and an abundant harvest. Guests can anticipate themoonrise with a cup of tea and an opportunity to compose haiku as shakuhachi and koto music
wafts through the air.
Moonviewing tickets go on sale August 16th for those in the Golden Crane Recognition Society andAugust 23rd for Garden members.

Member-Only Hours & Tours
In addition to regular member-only hours from 8-10am every morning the Garden is open, Portland
Japanese Garden members can enjoy seeing the Garden in its beauty at hours the general publiccannot, including extended hours for all membership levels and exclusive extended hours forour photographer members. Additionally, we offer garden tours exclusively for members on thefirst Saturday of every month. To learn more about membership benefits, including those for our
photographer members, go to japanesegarden.org/membership

More about Takahiro Iwasaki’s upcoming exhibition can be readon page 8.

Out of Disorder (Coney Island), 2012.
Takahiro Iwasaki, Courtesy of ANOMALY

4T H E G A R D E N PAT H

For all the latest details on Garden events, including dates and times, go tojapanesegarden.org/events

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

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6 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY S P EC I A L“The Most Beautiful and Authentic
Japanese Garden Outside of Japan”
High-Ranking Japanese Officials Who Have Affirmed
the Authenticity of Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden’s reputation as “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden
in the world outside of Japan” is one that has been burnished over the decades by the many
dignitaries from Japan who have walked its grounds. To have earned this reputation is something
the Garden cherishes and does not take for granted. Here are a few of the notable dignitaries who
have had a presence here in Portland, presented in chronological order.

His Excellency, Nobuo Matsunaga,
Ambassador of Japan to the United States(1985-89)
When Ambassador Nobuo Matsunaga visited Portland
Japanese Garden, it was in celebration of the organization’s
25th anniversary in 1988. He attended a luncheon held at
the Garden that would also welcome Oregon Governor Neil
Goldschmidt, U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield, and former Governor
Vic Atiyeh. It would be there that he would proclaim the
Garden to be “the most beautiful and authentic Japanesegarden in the world outside of Japan.” Ambassador Matsunaga
would also describe the Garden as a “unique treasure.”His Excellency, Japan’s Ambassador to the United States, Nobuo
Matsunaga. © The Oregonian. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

His Excellency, Morihiro Hosokawa, Prime
Minister of Japan (1993-94)

Japan Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda walks through Portland Japanese Garden during his 1978 visit. © 1978 Randy
Wood / The Oregonian. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

His Excellency, Takeo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan (1976-78)
Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda served less than two full years in his role, but within his tenure,
he managed to pay a visit to Portland Japanese Garden. En route to Washington, D.C. for a
conference with President Jimmy Carter, Fukuda would become the first Japanese prime minister
to visit Portland. Greeted at Portland International Airport by Oregon Governor Bob Straub andPortland Mayor Neil Goldschmidt, Prime Minister Fukuda was originally scheduled to take arest from his travels at the Benson Hotel, but instead called for his limousine to take him and his
cabinet ministers to the Garden. On a day replete with the blooms of rhododendrons and azaleas,
the Prime Minister enjoyed his visit to the Garden in its spring colors. A staff member of Japan’sConsul General’s office in Portland told The Oregonian, “Mr. Fukuda was surprised and impressedby the size and beauty of the gardens. He didn’t expect anything like that.”

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T H E G A R D E N PAT H

While Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa has never visited
Portland Japanese Garden, he has nonetheless been a visible
presence here. In honor of the Grand Opening of the Garden’s
Cultural Village, the organization’s first exhibition of 2017 was
one featuring the work of Prime Minister Hosokawa. It would
be his first major solo exhibition in the United States. After his
career in politics, Prime Minister Hosokawa pursued the quiet
life of an artist. His exhibition featured ceramic tea wares,
bamboo tea scoops (chashaku), and sculptural objects, such as
Buddhist figures, pagoda, and lion dogs.
To read more about the dignitaries from Japan who havevisited Portland Japanese Garden, go tojapanesegarden.org/dignitaries
Former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa (l) with Portland Japanese Garden and Japan Institute CEO Steve Bloom at Hosokawa’s
workspace in Japan.
Portland Japanese Garden

60th Anniversary Special Story
As part of our 60th anniversary, we’ll be highlighting a different element of our history in every
issue of The Garden Path in 2023! You can find all of these stories by going tojapanesegarden.org/60years

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

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A RT E X H I BI T I ON

Originally scheduled for 2020, Iwasaki visited Portland in advance of his residency to take in the cityand meet with Aki Nakanishi, the Garden’s Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art and Education.
After deciding which historic monument to construct back in his Hiroshima studio for his Portland
exhibition, Iwasaki’s pre-pandemic visit also involved exploring the area to discover what elements
define our local urban environment. In addition to his larger-scale architectural sculptures, Takahiro
Iwasaki is also recognized for taking mundane, manufactured objects from daily life—duct tape,pencils, toothbrushes, towels—and transforming them into miniscule versions of familiar landmarksthat suggest his surroundings. Fragile sculptures emerge from familiar objects, depicting imposing
structures on an intimate and delicate scale that invites a sense of wonder.

Iwasaki’s previous work: Reflection Model (Ship of Theseus), 2017.
Keizo Kioku, courtesy of the Japan Foundation, ©Takahiro Iwasaki, Courtesy of ANOMALY

Preview from Iwasaki’s studio: Reflection Model (Rashomon), 2023
Takahiro Iwasaki, Courtesy of ANOMALYNew Art Exhibition Turns Human
Ingenuity Upside Down
Takahiro Iwasaki: Nature of Perception To Feature
Work of Japan Institute Artist-in-Residence
On Sunday, September 24, Portland Japanese Garden will debut its new art exhibition
Takahiro Iwasaki: Nature of Perception. Featuring the work of Japan Institute’s Artist-inResidence, Takahiro Iwasaki, this Hiroshima-based artist gained worldwide recognition
when he represented Japan at the 2017 Venice Biennale, a renowned contemporary art
and architectural exposition often described as the Olympics of the art world. Iwasaki’s
architecturally accurate models of historic Japanese sites are transformed into immersive
installations, where his sculptures are suspended off the floor with an inverted duplicate
model assembled underneath. Known for his Reflection Model series, Iwasaki plays withmultiple perspectives, inviting his viewers to encounter the miniaturized work from different
points of view, moving around to experience alternative angles, heights, and to savor the
intricate details of man-made construction. Simultaneously beautiful and awe-inspiring,each Reflection Model enchants, yet also gives the viewer pause to contemplate the natureof the built environment, human ingenuity, and what it means for it all to be turned upside
down.

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T H E G A R D E N PAT H

Takahiro Iwasaki, Japan Institute Artist-in-Residence
Nozomi Tomoeda

The goal of Japan Institute’s Artist-in-Residence program is to give artists the opportunity to create
outside of their usual context. It is an experience that connects emerging and acclaimed artists to
the Pacific Northwest through gaining access to local materials and human resources while working
within Portland Japanese Garden. For visitors, the work created and situated in the Garden provides a
new perspective of the landscape and its enduring connection to contemporary art and culture. Japan
Institute and Portland Japanese Garden eagerly anticipate Takahiro Iwasaki’s time in Portland as heexplores the built environment of the city and manicured nature of the Garden.
Takahiro Iwasaki: Nature of Perception is supported by ANOMALY.

Iwasaki will be in Portland for his residency in September. His art exhibition,
Takahiro Iwasaki: Nature of Perception, will be on display in the Pavilion and Calvin andMayho Tanabe Galleries from September 24 to December 4.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

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J A PA N I N S T I T U T E

Portland Japanese Garden andJapan Institute Hire Executive
Director to Oversee New Japan Office
Misako Ito Brings Seasoned Career in Diplomacy andCultural Exchange

Portland Japanese Garden has, throughout its 60 years, made aconcerted effort to establish and maintain strong relationships
with individuals, organizations, and different levels ofgovernment in Japan. Now in 2023, the organization is delighted
to share that it has established a permanent, year-round presence
in Japan with an office at the International House of Japan,
commonly referred to as I-House. This new office in Tokyo will
afford both Portland Japanese Garden and Japan Institute better
opportunities to collaborate with partners old and new in Japan.

Ito first learned about Portland Japanese Garden and its CEO, Steve Bloom, in 2007 whileserving at the Embassy of Japan as Counselor and Director of the Japan Information &Culture Center (JICC). “I received a phone call from my former colleague at the JapanFoundation New York,” she reminisced. “He wanted me to meet with a very passionate
American who ran a Japanese garden in Portland. So I did, and that is how I met Steve. I still
remember our first meeting, because he was overwhelmingly passionate and knowledgeable
about the Japanese gardens in the U.S. Our comradeship started as both of us are passionate
about disseminating something to do with Japan and its culture!”
For Ito, the work that Portland Japanese Garden and Japan Institute does is meaningful. “We
are in the middle of uncertain times,” Ito concluded. “People need mindfulness and wellbeing
in harmony with nature. We need to immerse ourselves in the serenity of gardens, especially
if you live in an urban setting. Japanese gardens offer the opportunity to enter a peaceful stateof mind and soul, something critically needed for all people in this modern world. I am very
excited to join Portland Japanese Garden and Japan Institute and to work toward our missionof inspiring harmony and peace.”

Running the Japan office and overseeing the Garden andInstitute’s day-to-day affairs in Tokyo will be its new Executive
Director, Misako Ito. Ito, hired in the spring of 2023, was born andraised in Japan and studied at the Australian National University
in Canberra and Tsuda University in Tokyo. Prior to joining theGarden, she held multiple positions with the Japan Foundationand the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which included
posts in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Singapore. Ito’s mostrecent position was as Secretary General for the U.S.-Japan
Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchanges (CULCON)at the Japan Foundation.

Misako Ito, Executive Director ofPortland Japanese Garden’s Tokyo Office.
Nina Johnson

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T H E G A R D E N PAT H“As Executive Director of the Japan office, I will be responsible
for establishing a networking framework that will maintain,
strengthen, and add connections between Portland Japanese
Garden and Japan Institute and organizations and individuals
in Japan,” Ito shared. “I will also support Japan Institute’s
three programmatic centers [International Exchange Forum,
International Japanese Garden Training Center, and Global
Center for Culture & Art] here in Tokyo. Given how much of
our programming includes people who are based here, it isclear there was a need to have a Garden representative working
fulltime in Japan.”

Misako Ito (fourth from the right) standing with her colleagues from Portland Japanese Garden and Japan
Institute at the Garden’s 60th Anniversary Gala in Tokyo.
Ken Katsurayama

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

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DONOR PROFILE“The path through the Entry Garden is brilliant,” Rudin added.
“It is a transition from the busy world to the peaceful world, toa calm world where you have a chance to down regulate intoa different frame of mind before you even get to the rest of the
Garden. If you just walked through a portal and -bam- you’re in
Portland Japanese Garden, it would not be quite the same.”
Rudin can appreciate transitions away from hecticness morethan most. Deeply devoted to her work as a doctor working inpulmonary and critical care, Rudin’s work weeks would often
exceed 100 hours, reducing her free time to a bare minimum.
While she always had an interest in arts and culture, it was her
retirement and marriage to Testut, someone already involved
with local cultural organizations, that served as a catalyst to
becoming more heavily involved as a donor and volunteer.

Richard S. Testut, Jr. and Dr. Marilyn L. Rudin, MD

Phoenix Legacy Society
Highlight“We like a certain social element in our philanthropy,” Rudin
shared. “Sure, you can give money and write a check, but theGarden offers what we call ‘culture context.’ When you join the
Phoenix Legacy Society and Golden Crane Society, you’re invited
to things, you’re engaged. And that makes a big difference—we’re
not just givers, we’re also receivers of information. We like to be
updated.”Aligning Philanthropic Interests
with Estate Planning“It is a different experience when you are involved in the Garden
and its events,” agreed Testut. “We enjoy it very much.”

Dr. Marilyn L. Rudin, MD and Richard S. Testut, Jr. fell in love later in life. Bothwidowed, the two married in 2009. In each other, they found a partner to spend theirsunset years with. But rather than enter any kind of slow fade, Rudin and Testut’s
active participation in Portland’s thriving arts and culture scene has imbued them witha vibrancy that renders false the notion that one must slow to a halt in their 80s. For
them, joining Portland Japanese Garden’s Phoenix Legacy Society (in addition to theGolden Crane Society), has helped elicit something they cherish: a sense of community.
The Phoenix Legacy Society is not an epilogue for these two; it is a new chapter filledwith opportunities to share meaningful experiences with like-minded neighbors.
Testut recalls that he first became more aware of the Garden through a PBS special.
Already enchanted with Japanese gardens borne out of a trip he had taken to Tokyo,
he developed a quick fondness for the one in his community. “I remember climbing thepathway through the thick fir trees,” Testut recalled from this initial visit. “The serenityof the area started coming to me. I enjoyed the Pavilion and Tea House, the Heavenly
Falls and the koi.”

Beyond the social element the Phoenix Legacy Society provides
them, Rudin and Testut wanted to join because they care about
their local community here in Oregon. “We feel the Garden has
given something to us,” said Rudin. “It’s given us a lot of personalvalue and helped us feel that we have been receiving, so now
we’re giving back.”

The Entry Garden, an element of Portland
Japanese Garden Testut and Rudin
especially enjoy.
Portland Japanese Garden

Rudin and Testut also see joining the Phoenix Legacy Society as
a way of helping the Garden long into the future. “I’d like to help
the Garden continue to evolve, such as with the expansion of
the Cultural Village,” Testut offered. “It’s a special atmospherewhen you’re up here, and the Garden seems to be very active inworking toward humans coexisting in a calm manner. And thenalso the [Garden’s sibling organization] Japan Institute, which
is just starting up, can inspire peace and harmony and go evenfurther than the Garden can.”“…We like a certain social element in our philanthropy,” Rudin shared. “Sure,you can give money and write a check, but the Garden offers what we call‘culture context.’ When you join the Phoenix Legacy Society and Golden Crane
Society, you’re invited to things, you’re engaged.”

D R . M A R I LY N R U D I N , M D

The Phoenix Legacy Society helps individuals align their estate planning process with their philanthropicinterests. The Society is also Portland Japanese Garden’s way of thanking the incredibly generous people
who choose to honor the Garden in this highly meaningful way.

For more information about Phoenix Legacy Society, contact our Director of Philanthropy, Claire Eisenfeld at
ceisenfeld@japanesegarden.org or (503) 542- 0281.

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T H E G A R D E N PAT H

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

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Thank You, Volunteers!

Portland Japanese Garden Boardof Trustees Member Honored withPrestigious Award
Yoshio Kurosaki Recognized for Efforts to Promote
U.S. - Japan Relations

G A R D E N U P D AT E

VOLU N T E E R S P OT LI G H T

Volunteer Generosity Makes Garden
Mornings More Peaceful

Among the many reasons why Portland Japanese Garden has maintained its status as the world’s
most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, as well as North America’s preeminent
Japanese cultural organization, is the expert guidance and leadership that comes from its Board ofTrustees. In 2022, this group of leaders saw one of its longtime members earn a significant honor thatfurther elucidates the immense value they bring to the organization.
Yoshio Kurosaki, a naturalized Issei (first generation immigrant from Japan) and Portland Japanese
Garden Board of Trustees Member was bestowed with the Kentaro Kaneko Award. The honor,
commonly referred to as the Kaneko Award, was established by the America-Japan Society in 2017
to commemorate the 100th anniversary of its founding. This award was bestowed upon Kurosaki inrecognition of his longstanding contributions to grassroots exchanges between Japan and the UnitedStates.

Wayne Williams

Portland Japanese Garden is committed to being a steward of our shared naturalenvironment. In response to member feedback as well as Multnomah County’svote to transition leaf-blowers from gas-powered to electric models, the Garden
is undergoing a gradual transition to electric leaf blowers, which will reducegreenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution. While the use of gas-powered leaf
blowers may still be required when there is a larger and heavier volume of fallen
leaves, the Garden has begun to acquire electric leaf blowers, aided by the incredible
generosity of its volunteers.
Volunteers provided over $5,000 to the Garden this year to help the organization
purchase two new leaf blowers, including a Husqvarna blower ($400), Husqvarna
Charger ($150), Husqvarna Backpack Batteries ($800), and Husqvarna E-Mower($1,000). Last year, the Garden’s volunteers aided in the raising of money to support
Japan Institute’s Artist-in-Residence program.
“The volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to Portland Japanese Garden
connect deeply with our mission of Inspiring Harmony and Peace,” shared theGarden’s Volunteer Programs Manager, Sarah Lynch. “I am consistently in awe ofthe effort our volunteers make to educate themselves about the Garden’s history andphilosophy, to share that knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors, and to grow andevolve with the Garden. We’re lucky as an organization to have a corps of volunteers
who care and give so much.”

The Society praised Kurosaki, noting that he, “has been active in various areas of civic exchange withJapan through his support of the Japan-America Society of Oregon, for which he has served as director
and president, and has served as [Portland Japanese Garden’s] finance and accounting committee chair,director selection committee chair, and…has also served selflessly and impartially in other non-profit,
academic, and sister city/friendship city exchanges.”
In addition to his contributions to the Garden,
Kurosaki is the former Director and President of
the Japan-America Society of Oregon. There heled and assisted numerous nonprofit and academicorganizations and facilitated sister-city exchanges.
Kurosaki, who also serves as President andCEO of Summit Properties, recently shared why
Portland Japanese Garden has been so importantto him. “As an immigrant from Japan, I am very
happy to see so many people from all over theworld visiting our Portland Japanese Garden andenjoying the tranquility and most authentic beautyof the Japanese Garden,” Kurosaki wrote. “Being
involved on the Board of Trustees for more than 20
years, I am really happy to be a part of such a great
community, supporting this excellent garden. I
have the deepest respect to all the people involvedin the last 60 years, because this beautiful place
exists.”
Garden Board of Trustees
Member Yoshio Kurosaki.
Nina Johnson

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T H E G A R D E N PAT H

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

15

To see this list online, go tojapanesegarden.com/support-your-garden
For corrections, contact
development@japanesegarden.org

Cumulative giving to the Annual Fund from April 1, 2022
through May 31, 2023
Global Ambassadors, our members and donors residing
more than 120 miles from Portland, Oregon, arerecognized with a globe icon next to their name.

$100,000+
Koichi & Mihoko Nezu
State of Oregon$50,000-$99,999
Lani McGregor & Daniel Schwoerer
Dorothy Piacentini$25,000-$49,999
Jean & Ray Auel
Bank of America
Bullseye Glass Co.
Community Foundation for Southwest
Washington
Emerio Design
Japan Foundation New York
Joto Sake
Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund
Oregon Community Foundation
Travers & Vasek Polak
Schommer & Sons
Torii Mor Winery & Vineyard
Robert & Deborah Zagunis$10,000-$24,999

Julie Hall
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T H E G A R D E N PAT H

Carole Alexander
Chita Becker
The Bidwell Portland
Jack B. Blumberg
Mary Lee Boklund
Buckingham Strategic WealthMora Chartrand & Linda Grant
Teresa Chiu & Jeffrey Livingston
Conrad Clark
Dede & Joe DeJager
Delta Air Lines
Yoko Fukuta
Sally C. Gibson
William G. Gilmore Foundation
Jon & Yoko Greeney
Jenny Herman
Hillman Family Foundation
Hoffman Construction
Hyatt Regency
J.W. & H.M. Goodman Family
Charitable Foundation
Japan-United States Friendship
Commission
John & Janet Jay
Juan Young Trust
Peter J. Kendall
Nikki & Yoshio Kurosaki and theKurosaki Family Fund, Oregon
Jewish Community Foundation
Moya Lehman & Lavita Wai
Martin Lotti & Linda Mai-Lotti
Janet & Tom Montag
Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library
Chris & Tom Neilsen and the Neilsen
Family Fund, Oregon Community
Foundation
Nike: Employee Donation Match

OnPoint Community Credit Union
Oregon Jewish Community Foundation
Jordan Schnitzer & The Harold andArlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation
Yoneko Shimizu-Dalton
Drake & Lynn Snodgrass and Drake’s
7 DeesMark Stell & Michelle Hartstrom andPortland Coffee Roasters
Summit Properties, Inc.
Dona & John Tarpey
Dorie & Larry Vollum and the Jean
Vollum Fund of the Vanguard
Charitable Endowment
Anonymous (4)Paul & Caitlin Schommer
Martha Sharman & John Warren Reid Jr.
Smith Rock, Inc.
Michael Speight & Myunghye Han
The Standard
Pamela Still
Drs. Mayho & Calvin Tanabe
Zachary Vinton
Liz & Bob Warren
Alice & Wim Wiewel
Susan Winkler
Lynn & Jeffrey Wolfstone
Carmen Wong & Arjun Chatrath
Yamato Transport USA, Inc.
Anonymous (2)$5,000-$9,999$2,500-$4,999

A Plus Tree, LLC
Bartlett Tree Experts
George & Patty Beall
Martha & Anthony Belluschi
Priscilla Bernard Wieden
Brown Printing Inc.
Sandra Chandler & Chris Schaefer
Chef Naoko
Deborah & Jim Coonan
Creo Chocolate
Devil’s Food Catering
Douglas & Bee de Weese
Mrs. Margueritte H. Drake and the
Margueritte Hirschbuhl Drake Fund,
Oregon Community Foundation
Julie & Wayne Drinkward
Bart & Jill Eberwein
Susan & Greg Fitz-Gerald
Katherine & Mark Frandsen
Carol Frankel
Bob & Jeanne Frasca Fund, OregonCommunity Foundation
Freeland Spirits
Donald Gibson
Susan & Tom Hamman
Mrs. Ronna Hoffman
Tatsuo Ito & Kohgetsu Aoki and SEH
America, Inc.
Salena Johnson
Allan Karsk & Keith BerglundElizabeth M. King
Catherine & John Knox
Naoki Kuze and St. Cousair, Inc.
James D. Lynch &Robby Cunningham
The Maas & Marglous Family
Lisa Maulhardt & Joseph Okies, Jr.
Kelly & Steve McLeod
Mercer Advisors
NW Natural Gas Co.
The Oregonian
Mary & Alex Polson
Port of Portland
William & Anne Rasnake
Gary & Sue Reynolds
Marge Riley Fund, Oregon Community
Foundation
Trudy & Pat Ritz, Ritz Family
Foundation
Cathy & Jim Rudd

Trish Adams
Ravinda Ahluwalia & Kavleen Sahni
Roudabeh Akhavein
Ruth Anderson & Michael Beebe
Arden Event Collective
John Benson & Virginia Tilden
Janice Bleibaum
Evona Brim
Broughton & Mary Bishop Family
Foundation
Diane & James Burke
Eric & Robin BuschJames Cox & Brenda Nuckton
Anne & James Crumpacker
Diane Ditmer
David & Beth Ferguson
Doyle Forister & Gary Sheldon
Kelley Forseth and Clarity Consulting
Geffen MesherPeter & Mim Gray
Sandra & Jeffrey Grubb
Margaret Hacker
Merle & Andrew Hashimoto
Mike Henningsen Fund, OregonCommunity Foundation
Elizabeth Hulick & Mark HandleyIntel Corporation: Employee Donation
Match
The Jackson Foundation
David Katz & Lee Katman
Aase Kendall
Jane R. Kendall Family Fund, OregonCommunity Foundation
Joyce & Stanley Loeb
Kathy Lou
Doug & Theresa Lovett
Susan & Peter Lynn
Curtis W. Marble
Erin Moeschler & Robb Rathe
Glenn Moore
Bruce & Jeanette Morrison
Obon Shokudo
The Paramount Hotel
Park Lane Suites and Inn
Shirley & David Pollock
Wayne M. Quimby &Michael Roberts Quimby
Russell & Mary Reid
Pat Reser
Room & Board

Julia Taylor
Laura Schlafly
Susan Schnitzer & Greg Goodman
Mary Sharman & Mitchell Sundquist
Peter Shinbach
Steven H. Smith & Dennis C. Johnson
SN Charitable Foundation
Marie & Thomas Spence
Deborah Thomas & Betty Curtis
Hiro Tsuji & James Knodell$1,500-$2,499
Abbvie Inc.: Employee Donation Match
Acorn Fund, Oregon Community
Foundation
Sally Adkins & William BostianSusan & Dean N. Alterman
K. Andreasen
Julieann & Alan Barker
Randy & Kim Boehm
Elizabeth “Ibby” Brooke
Renee Carisio-Farber & Jeffrey Farber
Will Carter & Jeff Miller
The Chicago Community Foundation
Stephen Chipps & Laura Sherrill
Tim & Lisa Christy
Kathryn & John CochranJonah Cohen
Truman Collins
George Cummings
Danziger Family Foundation, The
Chicago Community Foundation
Cameron & Dick Davis
Mary Dickson
DLR Group
Kristen A. Dozono
Karen & Jonathan Dunn
Gail Durham & E Benno Philippson
Marilyn Easly, in memory of David
Easly
Rodger Flint
Flowerree Foundation
Mikiko Flynn
Judith Free & Paul Hamborg
Frederick & Rosemarie Fulton
Steve & Peggy Garber
Mimi Gardner Gates

Andra Georges & Timothy Shepard
Barbara Giesy
Karl & Shelagh Glaser
Ann Goetcheus
Howard Greisler
Marianna Grossman
Bruce Guenther &Eduardo A. Vides, M.D.
Hacker Architects
Ms. Susan Halton and the Halton
Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Halvorsen
Cynthia Hampton
Cynthia & Andrew Haruyama
Etsuko Harvey
Hasegawa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Don Hastler & Dan Bergsvik
Jay A. Henry & Demi Haffenreffer
Helen Herman
Scott Hillson
Philip Hoefer
Mary & Gordon Hoffman
Mara Hook & Steve Polkow
Tomoe Horibuchi & Kihachiro Nishiura
Kerstin & Joshua Husbands
Lois Jackson
The Jasmine Pearl Tea Company
Janelle & Lee Jimerson
Bradford Johnston & Julie Evans
Kristen Kern
Selby & Douglas Key
Bonnie Laun
Polly & Ron Lauser
Elizabeth Leach & Bert Berney
Megan & Ralph Leftwich
Patricia T. Leiser & Gary Leiser
Ross M. Lienhart, Edward Lienhart
Family Foundation
saRah Mahler
Mark Spencer Hotel
Tim Mather
Janet McCormick & Stephanie Walker
Patricia & Steven McNeal
Multnomah County Cultural Coalition
John & Nancy Murakami
Anne Naito-Campbell
Mrs. Hester H. Nau & Leslie Willhite
Lynne Naughton

Rikki Ninomiya
Omomuki Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Oregon Venture FundMarianne Perrin
James H. Peters & Hitomi Tamura
Jason PfingstmannFrank Piacentini & Sara Weinstein
Kimberly & Stan Prosser
Lee & Ronald Ragen
Susan & Michael Rego
Nancy L. Richmond &William A. Hughes
Nan Roberston
Valerie Sasaki
Scott & Charldene Schneier
Patrick Simpson & Margaret Bolger
Sudha & Siva Sivakumar
Sylvia Skarstad
Susan & William L. Smith
St. Honore Bakery
Dawn M. States & Stephen Smith
Ernie Stoddard
Angela Summers
Charles J. & Caroline Swindells
Charitable Fund, Oregon Community
Foundation
Tarbell Family Foundation
Kimberly Tardie
Rebecca & Russell Teasdale
Dr. Marilyn Rudin, MD &Richard Testut, Jr.
Connie & Tom Thomsen
Cathy & Greg Tibbles
Rena & Cheryl Tonkin
Hugo & Akiko Torii
Miriam C. Trahan
Robert Trotman
Susan & John Turner
Dawn & Sadafumi Uchiyama
Vista CapitalDavid Willis
Bess Wills
Richard & Ellen Wopat
Danny Wu
Joji Yoshimura & Michael Kronstadt
Suzanne & Craig Zarling
Anonymous (1)Thank you

If you would like to make a donation or have any questions about the Golden Crane Society, please contact Claire Eisenfeld,
Director of Philanthropy, at (503) 542-0281 or ceisenfeld@japanesegarden.org.

Portland Japanese
GardenAUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

17

Path to Peace
Campaign forJapan Institute

Recognizing all those who have made a gift in support of our Path
to Peace Campaign for the Japan Institute, helping us be a leading
global voice for cultural understanding, in pursuit of a more peaceful,sustainable world.

$1,000,000+
Jenny Herman
State of Oregon
Travers & Vasek PolakDrs. Mayho & Calvin Tanabe
Robert & Debb Zagunis$500,000-$999,999
Jeanne Giordano
Anonymous (1)Julie Hall

$100,000-$499,999
The Brookby Foundation
Sandra Chandler & Chris Schaefer
James R. Coonan, Denise C. Bates, &Lurline C. Menzies
Anne & James Crumpacker
The de Weese Family
Kuniko de Weese Charitable Fund
Eberwein Family
Sally C. Gibson
Will Green & Martín Palomar
Mrs. Ronna Hoffman
The Lora L. & Martin N. Kelley Family
Foundation Trust

Members of the Phoenix Legacy Society havenamed the Garden as the ultimate beneficiary ofa planned gift. We are grateful to the following
people for letting us know of their plans to support
the Garden in this enduring way.

If you would like to include theGarden in your estate plans, or
if you have already done so andwould allow us to list you as a
Legacy Society Member,please contact Claire Eisenfeld,
Director of Philanthropy, at(503) 542-0281 orceisenfeld@japanesegarden.org.

Ruth Anderson & Michael Beebe
Esther “Ricky” Appleman
Carole Beauclerk
Barbara Bell
Diane Benjamin
Melanie Billings-Yun
Steve Bloom
Judy Bradley & Dave Mitchell
Susan C. Brown
Carla Caesar & Nora King
Robert Caragher
Sandra Chandler & Chris Schaefer
Mora Chartrand & Linda Grant
Teresa Chiu & Jeffrey Livingston
Mary DicksonDavid & Nancy DowellMrs. Margueritte H. Drake
Elaine West Durst
Doyle Forister & Gary Sheldon
Yoko Fukuta
Ms. Susan Halton
John Hembroff & Shari Macdonald
Ron & Jenny Herman
Geoffrey Hoefer
Albert Horn
Ann & Jerry Hudson

Janelle Marie Jimerson
Mary Kay Johnson
Elizabeth M. King
Valerie Lau
Ron & Polly Wall Lauser
John & Lisa Lehman
David & Diane Levinthal
Patricia Locktov
Linda & Don McNeill
Gordon Olson
Jeannie & Ron Prindle
Wayne M. Quimby &Michael Roberts-Quimby
Gary & Sue Reynolds
W. Curtis Schade &Jacquie Siewert-SchadeMichele & Douglas Shapiro
Richard C. Stetson Jr.
Ernie Stoddard
Ann & John SymonsDrs. Mayho & Calvin Tanabe
Dr. Marilyn Rudin, MD &Richard Testut, Jr
Bruce & Susan Winthrop
Carmen Wong
Anonymous (4)Tribute Gifts& Donations

Lani McGregor & Daniel Schwoerer
Gary & Sue Reynolds
Dorie & Larry Vollum and the Jean
Vollum Fund of the Vanguard
Anonymous (1)$50,000-$99,999
Katherine & Mark Frandsen
Carol Frankel
Nikki & Yoshio Kurosaki and theKurosaki Family Fund, Oregon
Jewish Community Foundation
Portland Japanese Garden Foundation
The Prime Minister’s Office of Japan$10,000-49,999
Dede & Joe DeJager
Fred Delanoy & Jane Witter
Susan & Greg Fitz-Gerald
Charles Jenkins & James Dixon, inmemory of Marie Hooper Jenkins
Family of Lawrence R. Green
Cathy Hitchcock
Lindley Morton & Corinne Oishi
Cathy & Jim Rudd
Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA

Susan Schnitzer & Greg Goodman
Drake & Lynn Snodgrass and Drake’s
7 DeesDona & John Tarpey
Dorie & Larry Vollum
Lynn & Jeffrey Wolfstone
Carmen Wong & Arjun ChatrathWoodard Family Foundation
UNDER $10,000
Trish Adams
Ruth Anderson & Michael Beebe
Broughton & Mary Bishop Foundation
Mora Chartrand & Linda Grant
Delta Air Lines
Nick & Janet De Morgan
William A. Hughes &Nancy L. RichmondJanelle & Lee Jimerson
Paul Loving
Shiro & Michiyo Nakane
SN Charitable Foundation
Michael Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Timbanard
Alice & Wim Wiewel
Anonymous (1)Memorials and Honoraria
April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023

GIFT IN MEMORY OF
THOM HACKER

GIFT IN MEMORY OF SHIZUO &U J I T S U T O YA M A G U C H I

Melanie & Will Dann
Timothy Eddy

Anonymous

GIFT IN MEMORY OF DAVIDEARL LOU

Kathy Lou

Stephen Bridges
18

T H E G A R D E N PAT H

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

19

P H O T O G A LL E RY

GA LA HELD IN TOKYO TOC E L E B R AT E 6 0 Y E A R S

Portland Japanese Garden celebrated its 60th
anniversary at Happo-en, a garden in Tokyo’s
Shirokanedai district on May 26. Hundreds
attended the event, including Her Imperial
Highness, Princess Takamado, their Excellencies,
Former Ambassadors of Japan to the UnitedStates, Ryozo Kato, Ryozo Kato, Ichiro Fujisaki,
and Kenichiro Sasae, and the first Garden
Director of Portland Japanese Garden, Kinya
Hira. Photos from this special evening can beseen on pages 20-22. To read a recap of thisevent, visit japanesegarden.org/tokyo-galaPortland Japanese Garden and Japan Institute
CEO Steve Bloom, Her Imperial Highness Princess
Takamado, Ambassador of the United Kingdom toJapan, Her Excellency, Julia Longbottom, and former
AstraZeneca and Unilver director, Richard Sciver.

Ambassador of Japanto the Holy See (200610), His Excellency,
Kagefumi Ueno,
and Ambassador ofJapan to the UnitedStates (2008-12),
His Excellency, Ichiro
Fujisaki.

Portland Japanese Garden’sFirst Garden Director (196469), Kinya Hira, acknowledging
applause.

Photos by Ken Katsurayama

Setsuko
Mitsuhashi, wifeof the late Kazuo
Mitsuhashi, theinaugural instructor
for the International
Japanese Garden
Training Center’s
flagship seminar,
Waza to Kokoro.
Ambassador of Japan to
the United States (2001-08),
His Excellency, Ryozo Kato,and U.S. Consulate General
Osaka-Kobe, Consul General,
Richard Mei, Jr.

General Partner of MPower Partners, Kathy Matsui, Ambassadorof Japan to the United States (2012-18), His Excellency, Kenichiro
Sasae, Nobuko Forum Chair and Moderator, Nobuko Sasae, andPresident and CEO of the U.S.-Japan Council, Suzanne Basalla.

Ambassador and Permanent Delegateof Japan to UNESCO (2006-08), His
Excellency, Seiichi Kondo, and Japan
Living National Treasure and urushi
master, Kazumi Murose.
20

T H E G A R D E N PAT H

Standing: Portland Japanese
Garden Board of Trustees Member
Robert Zagunis, Golden Crane
Recognition Society Member andGarden Benefactor Deborah Zagunis,
Architect Satoko Shinohara, Architect
and Portland Japanese Garden
International Advisory Board Member
Kengo Kuma, and Portland Japanese
Garden International Advisory Board
Member John C. Jay. Sitting: Portland
Japanese Garden and Japan Institute
CEO Steve Bloom, Her Imperial
Highness, Princess Takamado, andInternational Advisory Board Members
Tadashi and Teruyo Yanai.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

21

P H O T O G A LL E RY

BAC K I N P ORT LA N D, OR EG ON

Nobel Peace
Center Chief
Curator Nina
Frang Høyum
gives remarks
at the 2023
Golden Crane
Recognition
Society Annual
Reception.

Japan’s Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs,
Noriyuki Shikata.

Nina Johnson

Ambassador of Australia to Japan, His
Excellency, Justin Hayhurst, and Portland
Japanese Garden Board of Trustees Member
Mark Stell.
International Advisory Board
Member and Senior Corporate
Advisor to Ajinomoto,
Masatoshi Ito, Tea Ceramics
Artist Richard Milgrim and hiswife Mari, and Sachiko Ito.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden writes a message
of peace at the Garden’s booth at Oregon
Rises Above Hate’s event held during Asian
American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Month in May.

On the bottom
right, Oregon State
Representative Lisa
Reynolds at the2023 Golden Crane
Recognition Society
Annual Reception
with members of her
staff, Alayna Amrein
and Christopher
McCorran.
Nina Johnson

Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden
Foundation Board Members
Carmen Wong and Sandy
Chandler and Kengo Kuma
& Associates Partner Balázs
Bognár.

U.S. Embassy in Japan Acting
Deputy Chief of Mission,
Valerie Chittenden.

Special Advisor to Japan Institute’s
International Exchange Forum
Paula Esguerra, Portland Japanese
Garden International Advisory Board
Members Mihoko and Koichi Nezu, andPortland Japanese Garden’s Arlene
Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art, and
Education, Aki Nakanishi.
22

T H E G A R D E N PAT H

CFM Advocates Partner Dale Penn andOregon State Representative Rob Nosse at
the 2023 Golden Crane Recognition Society
Annual Reception.
Nina Johnson

At the 2023 Golden Crane Recognition Society Annual
Reception, from left to right: Board of Trustees Vice President
Doug de Weese, 1803 Fund CEO Rukaiyah Adams, Garden
Board of Trustees Member Daniel Schwoerer, Garden Patronand Golden Crane Recognition Society Member Lani McGregor,
and Portland Japanese Garden Foundation Board and Board ofTrustees Member Katherine Frandsen.
Nina Johnson
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023

23

6 0 T H A N N I V E RS A RY F U N FACT | DI D YOU K NOW . . . ?
The uninterrupted view of Mt. Hood from Portland Japanese Garden’s East Veranda is a beautiful example ofshakkei, or “borrowed scenery,” in which a view of a natural landscape is incorporated into a garden’s design. It isreported that when the Garden’s original designer, Professor Takuma Tono of Tokyo Agricultural University, saw
Mt. Hood he likened it to one of Japan’s most beloved natural landmarks: Mt. Fuji. According to William “Robbie”
Robinson, an early Garden leader and head gardener with Portland Parks and Recreation, Tono would often referto Mt. Hood as Mt. Fuji and compared the flower beds from the International Rose Test Garden to rice paddies,saying of the vista, “All of that reminds me of Japan.”

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