ANNUAL REPORT

FOUR SEASONS • FIVE SENSES ONE EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE

Photo by Roman Johnston

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A NOTE FROM BOARD PRESIDENT CATHY RUDDMonday, August 31, 2015 was a truly historic day for the Portland Japanese Garden: the day we broke ground for the Garden’s long-awaited Cultural Crossing expansion project, with a ceremony attended by Garden members, community leaders, project donors, local performers, and honored guests from Japan. On that day, I could not have been more thrilled about the honor I have to be President of the Garden’s Board of Trustees. I was also humbled to think of the tremendous amount of work over the past decade to bring us to this moment—by the Garden’s tireless and talented staff, our visionary design team, our partners in the community, and my fellow Trustees, past and current. What an amazing time for our Portland Japanese Garden!

Another historic moment in 2015 was returning the kasagi to Japan. These two sacred pieces were washed away in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and washed up on the Oregon coast after a two-year journey across the Pacific. The Garden’s involvement in this heartwarming display of Japanese-American friendship continued beyond their arrival at the Port of Yokohama. The Garden also led the work for the restoration and reinstallation of these sacred Shinto pieces to Okuki village in Aomori Prefecture. Projects like this, happening alongside our stewardship of the most authentic Japanese garden outside Japan, resonate around the world and add luster to the beautiful treasure that is the Portland Japanese Garden—just as the opening of our Cultural Village and International Institute for Japanese Arts and Culture will beginning in 2017.

In closing, I would like to thank personally all of the Garden’s supporters, staff and our CEO Steve Bloom, whose 10th anniversary at the helm we celebrated in 2015, for making this work possible. Together, and with all of you, we are creating a future in which the Portland Japanese Garden will enhance our community for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Cathy Rudd

Board President

“It’s that perfect place in Portland that feels close and convenient to you physically, but is certain to take your mind to faraway places. The Garden will definitely take your breath away...”

–Cathy Rudd, Board of Trustees President

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FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERDear Garden Members and Supporters

2015 was special for so many reasons. New experiences had, new partnerships forged, new buildings started, and so many new friends made. At the heart of every experience, is this extraordinary Garden bringing people together.

For me, 2015 took on extra special significance as it marked my tenth anniversary as CEO of the Portland Japanese Garden; what an incredible honor it has been! For the first 40 years the Garden had matured through the careful attention and passion of many people. Our first leaders had a vision of what the Garden could be and when I first came, I could see that this Portland landmark was ripe with potential.

Through the support and guidance of a visionary board and an entire staff of talented professionals who have committed themselves to furthering the organization’s mission, the Garden has blossomed into a world-class organization that touches many lives across the globe. We know this through the record attendance we saw in 2015, through visitor reviews and letters we’ve received, through the loyalty and generosity of members and donors, in the face of each person we see strolling in the Garden, and quite simply in how beautiful the Garden looks every day.

Bringing people together to foster and evolve this vision has been the most rewarding job of my life. To accomplish this with an organization that is one of the finest in the world is every nonprofit manager’s dream.

2015 marked in many ways the beginning of the Garden’s next chapter—one that we are all writing together. Half a century ago, Professor Tono and the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon laid the foundation for this remarkable place. Today, we are all stewards of the Portland Japanese Garden with an extraordinary opportunity to pay this forward, sharing the Garden with generations to come. I look forward to the next steps as we all embark on this momentous journey together.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Bloom Chief Executive Officer

SENIOR STAFFStephen D. Bloom Chief Executive Officer

Cynthia Johnson Haruyama Deputy Director

Sadafumi Uchiyama Garden Curator

Diane Durston The Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Arts, & Education

Tom CirilloChief Development Officer

Cheryl Ching Chief Operations Officer

Diane Brauer Director of Finance

Lisa Christy Director of Marketing & Communications

Sarah MacDonald Executive Assistant

OFFICERS

Cathy Rudd, President OHSU Center for Women’s HealthCommunity Volunteer

Dorie Vollum, President ElectArts Advocate;Community Volunteer

Gwyneth Gamble Booth, Immediate Past PresidentBoard Chair, PGE FoundationCommunity Volunteer

Ann Carter, Vice PresidentFounder,ACCtion Strategic Marketing Services

Michael Ellena, Vice PresidentPresident/Owner, Ellena Gardens Ltd.

Jerry Hudson, Vice PresidentTrustee, The Collins Foundation

Carol L. Otis M.D., Vice PresidentSports Medicine Physician –Consulting Practice

Douglas R. Lovett, CPA, TreasurerShareholder, Geffen Mesher

Dede DeJager, SecretaryBroker & Premier Executive Director,Windermere Stellar Real Estate

MEMBERS

Melissa Babson Disegno Farfalla Community Volunteer

Suzanne Storms BerselliDirector, Storms Family Foundation Community Volunteer

Dr. John “Jack” CampbellPediatric Surgeon (retired),Doernbecher Children’s Hospital,OHSU

Dean M. DordevicPrincipal,Ferguson Wellman Capital Management

Kristen DozonoReal Estate Broker,RE/MAX Equity Group

Katherine FrandsenOwner, Katherine Frandsen Design

Bruce GuentherIndependent Curator & AuthorFormer Chief Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art, PAM

Gail JubitzCommunity Volunteer

John KodachiPrincipal Attorney, Kodachi Law

Michiko KornhauserIkebana International PortlandChapter 47;Oregon Nikkei Endowment

J. Douglas MacyFounding Principal,Walker Macy LandscapeArchitects

Thomas MillsAlfred P. Sloan Fellow,Massachusetts Instituteof Technology

Travers Hill PolakCommunity Volunteer

Paul SchommerProject Manager,Schommer & Sons

Drake SnodgrassPresident,Drake’s 7 Dees Landscaping

Dr. Calvin “Cal” TanabeNeurosurgeon (retired), OHSU

Frances von SchlegellCommunity Volunteer

Susan WinklerAuthorCommunity Volunteer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $484,494 578,853 Accounts receivable 46,161 6,200 Contributions receivable 8,755,516 4,452,540 Inventories 106,314 144,815 Prepaid expenses 59,001 50,558 Investments 2,103,586 2,299,617 Garden, buildings and equipment 11,907,101 5,652,822

Total assets $ 23,462,173 13,185,405

LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $39,405 47,896 Accrued payroll 87,614 84,922 Construction payable 2,732,920 15,758 Deferred revenue 20,285 9,117 Funds held on behalf of others 24,005 24,005 Notes payable 669,918 484,899

Total liabilities $ 3,574,147 666,597

NET ASSETS: Unrestricted: Available for programs and general operations $775,451 514,784 Cumulative endowment losses (11,481) - Designated by Board 50,000 50,000 Net investment in capital assets 11,237,183 5,167,923

Total unrestricted $ 12,051,153 5,732,707

Temporarily restricted 5,907,176 4,856,404 Permanently restricted 1,929,697 1,929,697

Total net assets $ 19,888,026 12,518,8088

Total liabilities & net assets $ 23,462,173 13,185,405

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DECEMBER 31, 2015 (WITH COMPARATIVE AMOUNTS FOR 2014)

2015 2014

THE GARDEN BY THE NUMBERS

Annual Attendance*

282,481

Art in the Garden Attendance

70,402

Our Visitors

*Due to Cultural Crossing expansion construction the Portland Japanese Garden closed its gates from September 8, 2015 through March 1, 2016. The following are projected numbers had the Garden remained open for the entirety of 2015: Annual Attendance—351, 382; Admission Revenue—$2.5 million; Retail Revenue —$1.1 million

Admission Revenue*

$2 MillionTripAdvisor Ranking

#4 of 419 Things to Do in Portland

Members

7,819

Social Community Growth

16%

Gateway Members

7,579Full Time Staff

48

Students Served

1,505Volunteer Hours

5,613Retail Revenue*

$843K

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OPERATING REVENUES & GAINS: Gate receipts $ 2,001,585 2,068,952 Gift store merchandise sales (net of cost of sales) 436,788 525,116 International tours 162,068 - Culture, arts and education events & workshops (net of cost of sales) 34,592 42,029 International programs (net of direct costs) - - Operating investment return (913) 457 Other earned revenues 4,220 4,391

Total operating revenues & gains $ 2,638,340 2,640,945

PUBLIC SUPPORT: Society dues 309,099 392,107 Contributions and bequests 680,396 771,010 In-kind contributions 52,259 120,708

Total public support $ 1,041,754 1,283,825

Appropriation of endowment assets for expenditure 149,832 56,880

Total operating revenues, gains & other support $ 3,829,926 3,981,650

EXPENSES: Program services $3,504,076 3,270,962 Management and general 512,340 430,293 Fundraising 560,941 748,615

Total expenses $ 4,577,357 4,449,870

Decrease in net assets before non-operating activity (includes depreciation expense) (747,431) (468,220)

NON-OPERATING ACTIVITY: Total endowment return (46,577) 83,200 Appropriation of endowment assets for expenditure (149,832) (56,880) Endowment gifts - 1,151 Capital contributions and grants 8,251,829 5,059,452 In-kind capital contributions 127,310 453,127 Loss on disposal of capital assets (66,081) -

Total non-operating activities $ 8,116,649 5,540,050

Increase in net assets 7,369,218 5,071,830

Net assets at beginning of year 12,518,808 7,446,978

Net assets at end of year $19,888,026 12,518,808

This financial data is excerpted from our audited financial statements. The Society can provide complete financial statements upon request.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 (WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS FOR 2014)

OPERATING EXPENSES BY FUNCTION

SOURCES OF OPERATING REVENUE

2015 2014

PROGRAM SERVICES82%MANAGEMENT &GENERAL SERVICES10%FUNDRAISING8%

GATE RECEIPTS56%

MEMBERSHIPDUES9%

RETAILS SALES(NET OF COST)12%

CONTRIBUTIONS/GRANTS21%

IN-KIND1%

OTHER1%

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Joshua Husbands, PresidentPartner, Holland & Knight

Greg Fitz-Gerald, Vice PresidentFinancial Services Executive (retired)

Dee Ross, TreasurerSenior Client Portfolio Manager,Invesco

Dede DeJager, SecretaryBroker & Premier Executive Director,Windermere Stellar Real Estate

Trish AdamsGroup Account Director,Wieden+Kennedy

HONORARY MEMBERS

His Excellency Kenichiro SasaeAmbassador of Japan to theUnited States

The Honorable Mazie K. HironoUnited States Senator of Hawaii

JAPAN MEMBERS

Masataka HataPresident, Shoyeido Incense Co.Kyoto, Japan

Masatoshi ItoChairman, Ajinomoto Co., Inc.Tokyo, Japan

Koichi KajimaDirector, Kajima Corp.Tokyo, Japan

Amy KatohAuthor, Scholar, JapaneseCulture SpecialistTokyo, Japan

Toshiaki KunoChairman & CEO, Mimasu Corp.Chairman & CEO, Sankyu Corp.Ibaraki, Japan

Larry MurakamiGeneral Manager,Tama Food InternationalTokyo, Japan

Shiro NakanePresident, Nakane & AssociatesKyoto, Japan

Koichi & Mihoko NezuDirector & Chairman of the Board ofTrustees, Nezu MuseumChairman, Tobu Department StoreTokyo, Japan

Catherine Watters SasanumaPhilanthropistTokyo, Japan & Seattle, WA

Makoto SuzukiProfessor, Tokyo Universityof AgricultureDirector, Tokyo Nodai Centerfor International JapaneseGarden StudiesTokyo, Japan

FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARDTakashi UyenoChairman & President, UyenoTranstech Ltd.Yokohama & Kamakura, Japan

Tadashi & Teruyo YanaiChairman, President & CEO, FastRetailing Co., Ltd. and UniqloTokyo, Japan

Shiro WakuiProfessor,Faculty of Environmental StudiesTokyo City UniversityTokyo, Japan

NORTH AMERICAN MEMBERS

Carolyn A. Berry Wilson, ChairpersonPhilanthropist,Berry Family FoundationHonolulu, HI

John AndersonFounder, Anderson Japanese GardenRockford, IL

Michael ChristPresident, Tiffany & Co., Japan(retired)Chicago, IL

Ron HermanLandscape ArchitectSan Leandro, CA

Geoffrey HoeferFounder, Omomuki FoundationNew York, NY

John JayPresident, Fast Retailing GlobalCreative LabPortland, OR

Joseph KrakoraExecutive Officer, NationalGallery of Art (retired)Washington, D.C.

Janet MontagPhilanthropistNew York, NY

Kathleen M. PikeProfessor & Director, Global MentalHealth Program, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY

GLOBAL AMBASSADORSIncluding Global Ambassador Members and Sponsors of our 2014 New York Launch Event

AnonymousAjinomoto Co., Inc.Ajinomoto North America, Inc.Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc.Peggy & Dick DanzigerJeanne Giordano & Bob FrascaGeoffrey HoeferJoto Sake LLCRichard Milgrim

Jerry HudsonTrustee,The Collins Foundation

Douglas R. Lovett, CPAShareholder,Geffen Mesher

James D. LynchDirector of Strategic Communications,Intel Corp.

Carmen WongCertified Financial Planner &Wealth Advisor,Confluence Wealth Management

Yoshiaki MizumotoJanet & Tom MontagKathy Pike David & Jane PollockPricewaterhouseCoopers LLPDavid & Abigail SnoddyErik & Cornelia ThomsenTorii Mor Winery & VineyardUniqlo

Arlene SchnitzerChairperson, Harold & ArleneSchnitzer CARE FoundationPortland, OR

Holly ShimizuPresident, United States BotanicGarden (retired)Washington, D.C.

Robert SingerCurator, Japanese Art, Los AngelesCounty Museum of ArtLos Angeles, CA

CEO Steve Bloom with author Amy Katoh. Photo by Jonathan Ley.

George Takei at Global Ambassadors event in New York City. Photo by Chris Henry.

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GOLD CIRCLE$50,000+The James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation

SILVER CIRCLE$25,000-$49,999The Collins FoundationWilliam G. Gilmore FoundationMaybelle Clark Macdonald Fund

BRONZE CIRCLE$10,000-$24,999Anonymous (3) Arts Consulting GroupBroughton and Mary Bishop FoundationDean & Kathi DordevicMrs. Margueritte H. DrakeESCO FoundationYoko FukutaHoffman ConstructionGail & Fred JubitzSamuel T. & Mary K. Naito FoundationDorothy PiacentiniTravers & Vasek PolakRod & Cheryl “Charlie” Rogers in memory of Lorna MarkwartArlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer of the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE FoundationTorii Mor Winery & VineyardJuan Young TrustCapt. David G. & Carolyn Berry Wilson

FOUNDER’S CIRCLE$5,000-$9,999The Autzen FoundationStephen & Melissa BabsonBank of AmericaGwyneth Gamble BoothMora Chartrand & Linda GrantKatherine & Mark FrandsenJeanne Giordano & Bob FrascaTom & Susan HammanWalter Clay Hill and Family FoundationHenry Lea Hillman, Jr. FoundationLynne M. HoffmanW.A. Hughes Construction Inc.Japan America Society of OregonThe Japan FoundationThe Samuel S. Johnson FoundationElizabeth M. KingDinah & Robert McCallKelly & Steve McLeod

Glenn & Widney MooreKathy PikeDavid Pollock in honor of Gwyneth Gamble BoothPosterGardenWayne M. Quimby & Michael Roberts QuimbyRegional Arts & Culture Council and Work for ArtMarge Riley Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationJim & Cathy RuddSuzanne Storms BerselliDrs. Calvin & Mayho TanabeJohn & Susan TurnerLarry & Dorie VollumThe Jean Vollum Fund of the Vanguard Charitable EndowmentDan WiedenRobert & Debb Zagunis

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE$2,500-$4,999Trish & Joe AdamsThomas P. Anderson & Jack B. BlumbergStephen Bloom & Michael BlankenshipJohn & Kathryn CochranDede & Joe DeJagerDr. Mark Edge & Dr. Ken MimsWayne R. & Sandra F. Ericksen Ferguson Wellman Capital ManagementGeffen MesherHakkodoJeffrey & Sandra GrubbHacker ArchitectsHalton FoundationRon & Jenny HermanHank & Judy HummeltThe Jackson FoundationThe Jasmine Pearl Tea CompanyJerry Jones Fund of the So-Hum FoundationWilliam David & Mary JonesPeter J. KendallKay Kitagawa & Andy Johnson-LairdDorothy LemelsonRoss M. Lienhart, Edward Lienhart Family FoundationDoug & Theresa LovettJ. Douglas MacyMichael & Maryellen McCullochMarilyn McIverNACCO Materials Handling GroupMr. & Mrs. Charles PutneySo Hum Foundation

Mr. Ernie StoddardStorms Family FoundationTreecology, Inc.The Rose E. Tucker Charitable TrustStuart Weitz & John GustavssonMr. & Mrs. James H. WinklerGARDENER’S CIRCLE$1,500-$2,499Anonymous (4)Sheryl AchesonA-dec, Inc.Charles & Kathleen E. AllcockSusan & Dean N. AltermanSally AshleyJean & Ray AuelRobert AughenbaughBamboo SushiAlan & Julieann BarkerAnthony & Martha BelluschiHarvey & Nancy BlackMary Lee BoklundBruce & Cindy BrennIbby BrookeRichard Louis Brown & Thomas MarkJames & Diane BurkeWorth & Barbara CaldwellDr. & Mrs. John R. CampbellLinda CampbellCapital Pacific BankAnn C. Carter & Thomas P. PalmerCandy CassarnoChef NaokoCiti Lites Builders Inc.Columbia Grain, Inc.Columbia SportswearConstructive Form Architecture and Design LLCWilliam Cook & Gwil EvansAnne & James CrumpackerPeggy & Dick DanzigerDavid E. and Mary C. Becker Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationAlan S. DavisDevil’s Food CateringMary DicksonSarah Dougher & Nate Overmeyer in honor of Dorie & Larry VollumGail Durham & E Benno PhilippsonMark & Ann Edlen & FamilyMichael & Janet EllenaExxon Mobil FoundationMary E. Fellows & John W. RussellJim Fisher VolvoSusan & Greg Fitz-GeraldFlowerBox, Inc. & Floral Design Institute

Nathan Family Charitable Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationMrs. Hester H. NauTom & Chris NeilsenNeilsen Family Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationOMIC USAOmomuki FoundationCarol L. Otis MD & Roger GoldingayPAE EngineersThe Paramount HotelPiper Park, The Park FoundationMarilyn Ross PodemskiDavid & Shirley PollockPortland Institute for Contemporary ArtPortland Roasting CoffeeJean & Ralph QuinseyPat ReserTrudy & Pat Ritz, Ritz Family FoundationDee RossSapporo Brewing USASusan Schnitzer & Greg GoodmanSusan Dee Schnitzer Family Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationPaul SchommerPeter ShinbachForrest & B.J. SimmonsSteven H. Smith & Dennis C. JohnsonBrenda Smola-Foti & Frank FotiDrake & Lynn SnodgrassThe StandardBonnie Pomeroy SternAndree StevensJulie & Peter StottAlice SumidaErik & Cornelia ThomsenRena & Cheryl TonkinTR ProfessionalTsurugaoka Hachimangu ShrineJunki YoshidaYume Confections

See Golden Crane Legacy listing on page 10.

Flowerree FoundationDoyle Forister & Gary SheldonBarbara GiesyGrain Importers AssociationGreenline Fine WoodworkingBruce Guenther & Eduardo A. Vides, M.D.John Hall & Margaret ChulaJames P. HansenJennifer Hartnett & Liza YoreAndrew & Cynthia HaruyamaJay A. HenryRon & Jenny HermanMichel & Vicki HersenMargaret & Roger HinshawMitchell HobbsDalton L. HobbsRobert HogfossJerry & Ann HudsonWilliam A. Hughes & Nancy L. RichmondBeth & Jerry HulsmanJoshua & Kerstin HusbandsTatsuo ItoJane R. Kendall Family Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationJohn & Janet JayLee & Janelle JimersonSalena JohnsonJoto Sake LLCFrederick D. and Gail Y. Jubitz FoundationAmy S. KatohSherman B. & Jayn KellarCaroline Kerl & Bill LunchJohn A Kodachi, PCHoichi KurisuYoshio & Nikki KurosakiKurosaki Family Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community FoundationTom & Pat LandyeJoyce & Stanley LoebJames D. Lynch & Robby CunninghamGregg Macy & Eric SteinhausersaRah MahlerKathleen & Curtis MarbleMasa & Associates, Inc.Laura S. MeierSandy & Greg MicoMike Reed, GRIThomas & Angela MillsMasa MizunoEsther Jantzen MooreVerne & Aki NaitoDarren & Casey NakataHelle V. Nathan

THE GOLDEN CRANE SOCIETYIN JAPAN, THE CRANE IS CONSIDERED A NATIONAL TREASURE, APPEARING IN ART, LITERATURE, AND FOLKLORE. THE CRANE IS THE SYMBOL OF GOOD FORTUNE AND LONGEVITY BECAUSE OF ITS FABLED LIFESPAN OF A THOUSAND YEARS.

The Portland Japanese Garden Golden Crane Society provids essential annual support for the Garden and its cultural, artistic, and educational programs. We thank these generous donors for their commitment to the Garden, and for helping us contintue to impact the lives all who enter our gates.

Cumulative giving to the Annual Fund from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

GOLDENCRANE

S O C I E T Y

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Anonymous (34)Paula AbramsAjinomoto North America, Inc.Corinne AlladinGarnet L. AscherHawkin & Dorothy AuStephen AuerbachMartha BaileyJoseph BainAlexander BaranovDonald E. BarrJane BartonAlan BaucomBechen Family FoundationLeslie B. BeersGretchen Behrendt DuplantyAllison L. BelcherBarbara BellCatherine BellAnton BelovJohn BensonBentwood Tree FarmKeith BerglundMartha BergmanPatsy BernerWilliam BetakSusan & Larry BlackJohn BlackwellBarbara BonniceErnest BonyhadiCraig Boretz & Rachelle JacoverJames BosketLois BoslandJean BottcherElizabeth N. BoydPaul & Nancy BragdonJonathan BrandtLisa BrenskelleNancy Bridgeford & Richard StigginsGary BrockwayDr. Gerald J. BroockDaniel & Andrew W. Brown

Sandra BrownSyd & Sher BrownSharon Bucher & Don SteinCaty BuckleyMitchell Burghart & Yvonne AldermanLauretta BurmanCarla Caesar & Nora KingRoss CalhounKathryn CampbellGretchen CarnabyCecile L. CarpenterWill Carter & Jeff MillerCascade Koi & Goldfish ClubP. Michael CasiasGeorge Caspar & Mary HaniganCedar Mill Garden ClubChevron Humankind Matching Gift ProgramStephen ChippsYong Sung & Ilze ChoiTim & Lisa ChristyTom Cirillo & Aaron WhiteMr. & Mrs. Ron L. ClarkDavid & Helen ClementTruman CollinsKristan & Scott CollinsRichard Cook & Heidi ScottTaylor CorrellCynthia Cristofani, MDCynthia & Gary CroseMary Felice CroweEdward CrowellAndrew DallTerry Dalsemer & Gail OwenWilliam & Diana DameronJudy DaubleHarry P. DavisonBruce & April deBoltBarry DeGregorioJay Hamlin & Kay DemlowJohn D. DennisDr. Ted & Marilyn Depew

Stephen DixonMary DorseySteve Dotterrer & Kevin KrausNathan C. DouthitMr. & Mrs. David DowellWilliam & Barbara H. DuerdenMrs. Darlene & Dr. Tom R. DunhamDiane Durston & Stephen FutscherBill & Karen EarlyEmma EatonVida Lee EderaDeborah EldredgeFrancois ElmalehKay EndoMarilyn & Edward EpsteinKathryn & Mark EvertsThomas E. EyerRich FarringtonJames & Diana FavilleJeffrey Feiffer & John BriggsBob & Debbie FellmanJoseph FergusonFidelity Charitable Gift FundDiane Field & Richard WilliamsVirginia FinchRebecca FleischmanLoyce & Wayne ForsgrenKonky & Bob ForsterLinnea O. FossLiz FrautschiFred Meyer Community Rewards ProgramPeter FreedmanLes & Karen FullertonMichelle GagenMichael & Barbara GainesRobert Gamblin & Catherine KumlinDale & Iris GarellPatsy GauerTerry & Florence GerlachRita GerritsenSha Gleason

Sen. Betsy Johnson & John HelmMr. Bradford JohnstonAlice JonesSam JonesSoren JorgensenRoss KaplanAllan KarskBetty & Mark KasoffKen KatzAphra & Richard KatzevLisa PfaffingerDouglas J. KelsoSusan L. KemNancy G. KennawayAl & Judy KenningAngela & Matthew KilmanTammie & Vic KrisciunasSharon KuehnLeonard & Lesie KuhlEd LabinowiczKurt Laidlaw & Craig CowdenBarbara LaMack & Jim KalvelageDan & Debbie LambergerWilliam and Emily Lawrence Family Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationCharles & Ursula Le GuinRev. Dean Rita M. Leach-Lewis, SFBarbara A. LeeGeorgia M. LeeMichael LesterJon Lexau & Carla BaroneRoger & Katherine LintaultHoward LoTammy LorraineCarole LowerCarol Ann LutzDavid LynamSarah D. MacDonaldCarol MacLeodPatricia MaddenGene Maier

Andy Glew, Rhonda Patten, and Sophie Helen Patten GlewGoogle AdWordsDon & MJ GordonPeter J. GrayLisa Gunion-RinkerThomas HackerLee HagaMrs. Stephen HalseyMr. & Mrs. Frank HalvorsenDavid HammerAdam HartLynne & Gary HartshornMr. & Mrs. John HartupKatherine A. & William J. HawkinsAndrea & Ted HeidJanet HeineckLinda HeringHelen HermanCarol F. HermanMargaret HernandezCarolyn HillKenton HillKathy & Frank HillmanShinji & Yuki HiokiIrene HiranoPhilip HoeferPerry & Sandra HollandYohey HorishitaAngela HornimanCarol W. HullHarold M. HurwitzJanice IkedaJenelle S. IsaacsonShoun & Grace IshikawaLois B. JacksonAllan JacobsonRachelle JacoverDonald JenkinsJEZ FoundationRichard JohnsonSusan G. & Albert W. Johnson

ANNUAL FUND DONORS JANUARY 1, 2015 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2015

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Lisa MametNona K. MannIrene MantelDina MarieLeo & Virginia MarshOscar H. & Mary S. MayerMr. & Mrs. Stan F. MayfieldWJ McCabeJanet McCormickIsabel McDonaldJudy McElhaneyKaren L. McKayFred McKinnonJill McLeanGregory McLeanAshley McQuadeHeidemarie McSwainMary Katherine MillerMichael MillerMike & Jill MillerPrudence MillerBarbara MillsWendy MitchellLinda MontgomeryAnne MorinMrs. June MoriyasuJohn MorrisJoy MorrisonSean MorrisonDana MountsMartha MurrayLaurie Gille NaemuraErika NavaraNetwork for GoodSara V. NewlandsAnne NiemiecFrank T. NodaCaye NolletteNorthwest Koi and Goldfish ClubEllen NusblattMr. & Mrs. Allan OlsonOregon Decorative Rock, Inc.

Bill ParmElaine PaulPatricia PerkinsIlsa Perse & Jake RockwoodMark & Joan PetersDonald & Rosalyn PetersenDonna M. PierleoniNancy Pole-WilhitePeter & Joey PopeJohn PorterPortland Garden ClubPortland General Electric Employee Giving CampaignJudith PoseyNeil PowellMildred PowersMark A. & Lisa J. PrescottAlice PriceJames PrihodaDiane PylesLynne QuensonMelanie & Darrell QuickTyler QuinnJanice E. QuiveyLee RagenLeslie C. & Wallace L. RaineyRobb Rathe & Erin MoeschlerKatherine M. RayMarianna ReddP. RedmanHelen M. ReedPatrick Regan & Patricia FrenchJerry V. ReynoldsAlisa RichardsAnne & Robert RichardsonFrances L. RicheyDavid RivenessMary & Peter RobertsWilliam F. RobertsDianne RodwayRichard Rosenberg

Dean Runyan & Liz EvansMarjorie RussellPatricia E. Sacks M.D.Carlos SanchezW. Curtis Schade & Jacquie Siewert-SchadeAllen Schatz & Meredith SchatzLaura SchlaflyGerald & Shirley SchoepflinRobert & Marilyn SchubergJane & David L. SchueChristine SchulbachHenry F. Schwarz IIIMs. Maxine SellingCharles R. SheldonMarion ShimodaAlan & Gwen ShustermanTed & Arlette SieckmanBarbara SimonDr. Rick SimpsonSylvia SkarstadJaymi SladenStephen Slusarski & Nancy LaPagliaBernie SmithBarbara & Jim SnowSony ElectronicsThomas & Marie J. SpenceDonald & Susan SpencerMolly & George SpencerJohn Sprietsma & Dana PlautzSara H. Stamey & Winston A. SaundersKenneth W. StatenJohn & Debi StephensMelinda Stephens-BukeyRichard C. Stetson, Jr.Ad-Mail, Inc.Isabel StirlingSusan StoneMilan & Jean StoyanovGayle & Lois Strickler

Miho WalshAnne WaltonMr. & Mrs. Richard WardLouise WatkinsJohn Watson & Mary Dreyer Craig M. WeintzBart & Karin WhalenSusan WhereatJames WhinstonBen & Elaine WhiteleyTom Williams & Naomi MillerAnn M. WilsonBaxter WilsonBuzz & Diane WilsonChristina WilsonPat WilsonCarolyn WinchAlan Winders & Michael MaseDinah WittenMs. Carmen WongRichard & Ellen WopatKanako YanagiMable F. YonetaniBill G. YoungKatherine & John ZelkoWilma A. ZickerJames J. Zuiches

Pat StruckmanLisa SudoArunee SuengsumpathanEllen SummerfieldAnn SymonsNatsuko TakahashiHitomi Tamura & James PetersBen Taylor & Kathy StewartGale A. TaylorRebecca & Russell TeasdaleRobert & Carolyn TecklenburgSylvia TeshJoyce TolleyTonoike Shuzouten Co., LtdRichard ToscanDouglas & Dorrie TowneDagne & Elliott TrommaldHiroki TsurumiNaomi TsurumiRobert TuftsMarleen TulasKeisaku UchimuraSadafumi & Dawn UchiyamaAns van GentRobert F. VandiverTerry West & Jack ViscardiVirginia WagnerMary & James G. Wallach Foundation

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“In the midst of the bustle of the city, it is a haven of serenity. Whether strolling by the reflecting pond, or meandering along the winding paths through the moss garden, or quietly contemplating the iconic view of Portland and Mt. Hood, you should plan on taking a few extra minutes to soak in the peace. I often take mental health visits, and find it beautiful in every kind of weather.”

– TripAdvisor © Traveler Review, March 2016

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In Honor of Ester AuerbachJohn & Emily Rake

In Honor of Shannon BairdReal Estate Roofing Service, Inc.

In Honor of Anthony & Martha BelluschiDavid Pollock

In Honor of Stephen BloomSharon Harmon

In Honor of Gwyneth Gamble BoothMichiko KornhauserDavid Pollock

In Honor of Doyle ForisterSara E. Perry

In Honor of Linda Grant & Mora ChartrandWhitney Lane

In Honor of Claude M. & Keiko Hiramoto HessMarya Fitzgerald

In Honor of Mary & Oscar MayerOscar H. & Catharine MayerDavid Sammond

In Honor of Mr. Satoshi ObaMargaret Hadaway

In Honor of Travers PolakJanice E. Quivey

In Honor of Arlene Schnitzer & Jordan SchnitzerArchitecture Foundation of Oregon

In Honor of George TakeiThe Bomze/Bloom Family

In Honor of Dorie & Larry VollumSarah Dougher & Nate Overmeyer

In Honor of Barbara Wilson John & Susan Turner

In Memory of Mrs. Hozumi AustinNona Kliewer

In Memory of Frances BurrowsDoris Johnson

In Memory of Joanne CodyAl & Judy Kenning

In Memory of Emily CumminsSusan Cummins

In Memory of John Putney DicksonBarbara BullierRobert Cramer & Allen SimmonsSivia KayeMcDonald Jacobs, P.C.Karen RitterSteven H. Smith & Dennis C. JohnsonDon and Joan Strand FoundationMike Thompson & Bill OhdeMarleen Tulas

In Memory of David EaslyJudith LautersteinThe Loeb FoundationCarol Schnitzer Lewis

In Memory of Bill FindlayKaren AndersonThomas P. Anderson & Jack B. BlumbergJjoan CorrieMrs. Margueritte H. DrakeAlan, Gwen, Avery & Ashton Niemann

In Memory of David HakeKathleen Kuba

In Memory of Don HearingMary Dickson

In Memory of Fred IrinagaTodd M. Irinaga

In Memory of Gene JacksonMillie Williams

In Memory of Robert JohnsonRichard Hill & Raymond AnnisSteven H. Smith & Dennis C. Johnson

In Memory of Ronald “Rik” KalmbachDorinne Pedersen & Kurt Kimsey

In Memory of Mrs. Jane KendallMrs. Margueritte H. Drake

In Memory of Mrs. Patricia KleinkeCraig & Sharon Carver

In Memory of Lorna MarkwartMichiko KornhauserRod & Cheryl “Charlie” Rogers

In Memory of Pauline MesirowMargaret Mesirow

In Memory of Mrs. Winifred MinorGary & Susan Julian

In Memory of Simon “Moe” MosesMary Farrington

In Memory of Mae NinomiyaMichiko KornhauserElizabeth Wolf

In Memory of Larry NovickFrances J. HerrallJennifer SanowTEP Brothers and FriendsDina Trachta

In Memory of Jack RickliSybilla CookRobert Cramer & Allen SimmonsSteven KarkerRichard LukinsWayne M. Quimby & Michael Roberts QuimbySteven H. Smith & Dennis C. JohnsonMike Thompson & Bill OhdeMarleen Tulas

In Memory of Melba RothAnonymousMrs. Margueritte H. DrakeForrest & B.J. Simmons

In Memory of Peter SargentBetty & Joe Labadie

In Memory of Marilyn Schuberg Mrs. Margueritte H. DrakeIkebana International, Chapter #47Molly & Chip HarrisJulia MatthewsMegan Rothstein

In Memory of Molly H. Sono Vida Lee Edera

In Memory of John Symons Alaska Library Association Juneau ChapterTom Cirillo & Aaron WhiteLawrence & Sarah EppenbachRobert GrazianoDavid IsaakShannon Moxley

MEMORIALS & HONORARIATHOUGHTFUL AND GENEROUS GIFTS RECEIVED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2015 TO DECEMBER 31, 2015

If you would like to include the Garden in your estate plans, or if you have already done so and would allow us to list you as a Legacy Member, please contact Development Director Tom Cirillo at (503) 595-5225 or tcirillo@japanesegarden.com

Anonymous Carole BeauclerkBarbara BellDiane BenjaminMelanie Billings-YunStephen Bloom & Michael BlankenshipCarla Caesar & Nora KingMora Chartrand & Linda GrantMary DicksonMrs. Margueritte H. DrakeElaine West DurstBill FindlayYoko FukutaMs. Susan HaltonRon & Jenny HermanAl HornJerry & Ann HudsonMary Kay JohnsonElizabeth M. KingRon & Polly Wall LauserJohn & Lisa LehmanDavid L. Mitchell & Judith L. BradleyWayne M. Quimby & Michael Roberts QuimbyW. Curtis Schade & Jacquie Siewert-Schade

GOLDEN CRANE LEGACY MEMBERSGolden Crane Legacy Members have named the Garden as the ultimate beneficiary of a planned gift. We are grateful to the following people for letting us know of their plans to support the Garden in this thoughtful way.

Mr. Ernie StoddardJohn & Ann SymonsMs. Carmen Wong

We are grateful to the following individuals and families for their generous estate/bequest gifts received by the Garden:

Nancy B. BeamerClarence BobbeStanley L. Davis TrustStanley W. GreenhalghElizabeth Anne HindsNoel JordanJames J. KeslerDuke MankertzMs. Beverly MerrillJack O. RickliJeaneatta SautterJames W. Skog TrustToya Family Trust: George, Sonoya, Georgene, and EvelynDavid E. Wedge

Pho

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by M

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$5,000,000 and aboveArlene Schnitzer in honor of Jordan D. Schnitzer’s 20-year service to the Portland Japanese Garden

$2,000,000 to $4,999,999Anonymous

$1,000,000 to $1,999,999Anonymous (2)State of Oregon Lottery Bonds The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE FoundationDrs. Calvin and Mayho Tanabe

$750,000 to $999,999The Collins FoundationRoss M. Lienhart, Edward Lienhart Family Foundation in memory of Sheila Edwards Lienhart

$500,000 to $749,999Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi FoundationRobert W. FranzDorothy LemelsonNational Endowment for the HumanitiesCathy and Jim RuddDorie and Larry Vollum

$250,000 to $499,999Frederick D. and Gail Y. Jubitz FoundationDorothy PiacentiniCarolyn A. Berry Wilson

$200,000 to $249,999Anne and James F. Crumpacker FamilyHoffman Construction Co.Kengo Kuma & AssociatesWalker MacyRobert & Debb Zagunis

$150,000 to $199,999Ray and Jean AuelMarilyn McIver

$100,000 to $149,999Melissa and Stephen BabsonWayne DrinkwardHacker ArchitectsPrudence Miller in memory of Jane Stimson MillerWayne M. Quimby and Michael Roberts QuimbyFrances and John von Schlegell

$75,000 to $99,999Maybelle Clark Macdonald FundMildred and Morris Schnitzer Charitable Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationStorms Family Foundation

$50,000 to $74,999Gwyneth Gamble BoothCity of Portland, Portland Parks & RecreationAlan S. DavisMarilyn Easly in memory of David EaslyWilliam G. Gilmore FoundationJerry and Ann HudsonHoichi KurisuRitz Family FoundationKelly SaitoCatherine and Taisuke Sasanuma

$20,000 to $49,999Dean and Susan AlterrmanThomas P. Anderson and Jack B. BlumbergCity of Portland, Office of International AffairsDede and Joe DeJagerde Weese Family Fund at The Oregon Community Fund FoundationMary and Blaine Dickson Margueritte H. DrakeDrake’s 7 Dees LandscapingKatherine and Mark FrandsenKomatsu Seiren Co., Ltd.J. Douglas Macy Dori Schnitzer in memory of Mildred and Morris SchnitzerJeanne Schnitzer Marks in memory of Mildred and Morris SchnitzerSusan Dee Schnitzer in memory of Mildred and Morris SchnitzerSusan and Jim Winkler & Family

$10,000 to $19,999Mora Chartrand and Linda GrantWorth and Barbara CaldwellDelta AirlinesThe Dunagan Foundation, Inc.Bill FindlaySean C. GayJudy and Hank HummeltKPFF Consulting EngineersAmy S. KatohDoug and Theresa LovettLuma: Lighting DesignEd McVicker and Gertrude BernsteinPAE EngineersDon and Jan StastnyStoel RivesUrban Resources, Inc.Carmen Wong

$5,000 $9,999AnonymousAjinomoto Co., Inc.Ajinomoto North America, Inc.Anderson Krygier, Inc.The Bookin Group, LLCBruce and Cindy BrennDr. John R. and Susan CampbellAnn C. Carter and Thomas P. PalmerColumbia Bank and West Coast TrustAlexander de WeeseDouglas H. de WeeseMichael and Janet EllenaYoko FukutaGeotechnical Resources, Inc.Jeanne Giordano and Bob FrascaGreen Building ServicesGreenline Fine WoodworkingBruce Guenther & Eduardo A. Vides, M.D.Dr. Tsutomu HattoriMargaret and Roger HinshawRonna and Eric Hoffman Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationJoshua and Kerstin HusbandsListen Accoustics, Inc.Verne and Aki NaitoCarol L. Otis MD and Roger GoldingayBonnie Pomeroy SternRena and Cheryl TonkinTorii Mor Winery & VineyardMr. and Mrs. Richard WardSuwako Watanabe

$2,500 to $4,999Andrew and Cynthia HaruyamaJoto SakeJoseph KrakoraSandy and Greg MicoMiller NashOmomuki FoundationJohn and Susan Turner

$1,000 to $2,499Anonymous (3) Architecture Foundation of Oregon in honor of Arlene Schnitzer & Jordan SchnitzerAnthony and Martha BelluschiNell and Robert BonaparteDr. and Mrs. BuellCiti Lites Builders Inc.Greg and Susan Fitz-GeraldDale and Iris GarellWilliam A. Hughes and Nancy L. RichmondJohn A Kodachi, PCMr. and Mrs. Joe LabadieJudy and Mike McCuddyAcorn Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationDavid Pollock in honor of Martha and Anthony Belluschi

Robert RidgleyLuwayne SammonsRandy Zmrhal

UNDER $1,000Carole AlexanderCharles C. AndersonDavid AustinAnne BateyRene and Michael BerndtBarbara BloomfieldFrederick and Leila S. BrownLeilanie BrucePatricia BuckleyEvelyn CarterGeorge Caspar and Mary HaniganLaura DavidsonVicki DotsonKristen A. DozonoBart EberweinPatricia A. EngelbretsonJames and Diana FavilleSandra L. HeltonIsaac JonesKathleen KahleLeatrice KaplanAllan KarskMarilyn KingeryBetty Lou Koffel and Philip MoyerMichiko KornhauserDavid and Nicholaus KrichevskyJoann D. LeAnne and Charles MacquariePatricia de MagalhaesStephen McConnelJill McLeanPhyllis L. MoricalMembers of Niwa-No-BikaiTetsuro NomuraO’Hara School of IkebanaMr. and Mrs. Allan OlsonCarlton OlsonJeff A. Parnaby & Samia HaddadDebby PottsMichael and Carol RileyAmy and Katie SakuraiCarol Schnitzer LewisJacquie Siewert-SchadeJ Andrew SnyderMakoto SuzukiTakumi CompanyTomodachi Committee JASOTaketoshi UchiyamaBarbara G. Van Raalte Family Fund of Fidelity CharitableScott WintersTakeshi Yoro

THE CAMPAIGN FOR A CULTURAL CROSSINGCONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2015

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Cultural Crossing new Admission Plaza. Artist rendering courtesy of Kengo Kuma & Associates

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CULTURAL CROSSING: THE FUTURE BEGINSAfter eight years of careful planning, the Portland Japanese Garden took momentous steps forward in 2015 with its Cultural Crossing expansion project.

On July 14, 2015, CEO Steve Bloom was joined by Garden supporters at a press conference where the $33.5 million project was revealed for the first time to the public. Designs and details were shared as well as projections of the project’s impact on the local, national and international community:

The gardens are at the heart of the design. To be very clear, we are not touching the existing gardens. Those, in themselves, are perfect. What we are doing as an architect team is simply filling in the gaps; allowing visitors to come and put themselves in the right frame of mind before they enter the gardens.

– Balazs Bognar, Design Director at Kengo Kuma & Associates

Not only will Oregonians have a world-class resource for culture and beauty in their own backyard but they stand to benefit economically too; by our calculations, the Japanese Garden puts over $93 million back into the Oregon economy.

– Commissioner Amanda Fritz, City of Portland

The Portland Japanese Garden has the potential to become not just a glittering jewel in Portland’s cultural crown, but an international institute for the practice, preservation and development of Japanese arts and culture; known, respected and admired around the world.

–The Honorable Hiroshi Furusawa, Consul General of Japan in Portland

Two months later, over 150 Garden friends and family watched as Garden and community leaders gathered to break ground on the Cultural Crossing project. Speeches were made to commemorate the historic moment and announce a six month closure, a first in the Garden’s history. After hearing from Garden and civic leaders, a jichin-sai ceremony—literally translated as “pacification of the grounds”—was performed by priests from the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shinto shrine

After the stirring ceremony, shovels were brought out to break ground on the historic de Weese hill. As the ceremony came to a close, Taiko drums escorted guests back home, their rhythmic beats echoing a feeling of time and progress marching forward here at the Garden. Slowly, steadily, and with confidence in a great future.

August 31st Groundbreaking Ceremony. Photos by Jonathan Ley.

LETTER FROM CULTURAL CROSSING CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRSOver 50 years ago, a group of people dreamed a very big dream—a world-class Japanese garden for Portland. That group of people included garden-lovers, devotees of Japanese arts and culture, Japanese-Americans, local philanthropists, civic leaders, and legions of inspired volunteers. It took years to raise the money, to enlist Professor Takuma Tono to design it, and to negotiate with the City for the degraded former zoo site. It then took four years to build the first outlines of the Garden and another 20 years to truly fulfill the design.

Since that first day, the Garden has been constantly evolving. In 1968, Howard Vollum convinced Chairman Morita of Sony to join him in donating the authentic Tea House. As Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980, the Pavilion was dedicated. In 1997, a landslide destroyed the Heavenly Falls, which was then rebuilt higher and better than before. And just three years ago, the Lower Pond was completely renovated.

We now find ourselves at the historic moment where our generation can guide the next evolution of the Portland Japanese Garden. Our Cultural Crossing project, the vision of revered Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, will ensure our Garden remains the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan and one of the most vibrant centers for Japanese arts and culture in North America. Beginning in 2017, our community and hundreds of thousands of visitors each year will enjoy a new Cultural Village, increased cultural programming, and new garden spaces designed by our own Sadafumi Uchiyama—all in addition to the original five gardens.

I know you, like us, believe in the power of the Garden to renew and restore each person who visits. We believe the Cultural Crossing project is essential to preserve the Garden as a beacon of beauty and tranquility to our growing community. If you have not already, I hope you will join us and 100% of the Garden’s Trustees in supporting this project—and that we will be able to thank you in person at our Grand Opening in April 2017!

Yours sincerely,

Dorie Vollum Larry VollumCo-Chair of the Cultural Crossing Campaign Co-Chair of the Cultural Crossing CampaignBoard of Trustees, President-Elect

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Dorie and Larry Vollum. Photo by Jonathan Ley.

The Cultural Village. Artist rendering courtesy of Kengo Kuma & Associates.

ART IN THE GARDEN 2015“Tradition is not a thing of the past. It flows over time like a river—moving, ever changing, never the same.”

These words, written by Diane Durston, the Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art & Education, aptly describe the two exhibitions in the 2015 Art in the Garden series.

The season opened with Hakkodo: the Artisans of Kamakura. The exhibition featured four generations of carved and lacquered woodwork by the Goto family from the historic Hakkodo studio in Kamakura, Japan. The family traces its history back to the 13th century to artisans who carved Buddhist sculptures for the many temples of Kamakura. Today, Hakkodo is led by Keiko Goto, whose simple and elegant designs are taking the beauty of the draped robes carved by her ancestors in a new direction in the 21st century.

The second exhibition of the season also spanned generations of artists. In Kizuna: the Rebirth of Mashiko Ceramics, the Portland Japanese Garden partnered with the Mashiko Ceramics and Arts Association (MCAA), the Oregon Potters association (OPA), and the Pucker Gallery of Boston to bring the work of 13 Mashiko artists together in one exhibition. Included were masterworks by artists Shoji Hamada (1894-1974), and his protégé Tatsuzo Shimaoka (1919-2007), both of whom were designated Living National Treasures. At the heart of the exhibition was the work of 11 Mashiko contemporary potters, all working with newly rebuilt kilns after theirs were damaged by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The exhibition came with the remarkable gift of 30 ceramic vessels by Tatsuzo Shimaoka, generously donated to the Garden by his daughter Yoshiko Fudeya.

Says Durston of the Art in the Garden program, “Just as evergreens provide the living thread of continuity throughout the four seasons, Art in the Garden is intended to encourage the ongoing exchange of culture, art, and ideas between the U.S. and Japan.” With 70,000 visitors having attended the two exhibitions in 2015, the Garden is thrilled that this exchange has been so warmly received by its visitors.

Photos by Jonathan Ley.

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Top photo by Judson Randall. Middle photo by Jonathan Ley.Bottom photo by Ken Katsurayama.

KASAGI: GATES OF HOPE 2015 was a year of many extraordinary events at the Garden. None more so than the remarkable story of two kasagi.

In 2013, pieces of two torii gates—known as kasagi—washed ashore on the Oregon coast, casualties of the 2011 tsunami in Japan. Their origins unknown, the kasagi were entrusted to the Portland Japanese Garden in hopes of finding their rightful home. Garden Curator Sadafumi Uchiyama and Board of Trustees President-Elect Dorie Vollum worked with a network of global supporters, scouring Japan for clues of where the kasagi originated. After two years of research, it was finally confirmed that both kasagi came from the small Itsukushima shrine in the Northeastern tip of mainland Japan.

On August 15, 2015 the kasagi began their long journey home. Before being sent home, both kasagi were displayed in the Garden where visitors could write well wishes on origami papers. Over 1,600 wishes were collected and folded into good luck cranes by local school children to carry our hopes for recovery in Japan.

On October 1, 2015 the kasagi arrived in Yokohama port where they were honored with a receiving ceremony led by priests from the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine. The event was attended by Garden leaders as well as Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Japan. Ambassador Kennedy spoke of the commonalities between the two countries observing that “the Pacific ocean is not something that divides us but is something that connects us.”

For the last leg of their travels, the kasagi were taken northward to their home village of Okuki. Elders and school children alike congregated around the kasagi to marvel at their journey, grateful that these sacred artifacts—presumed lost for so long—had been returned home.

The Pacific Ocean is not something that divides us but is something that connects us.” –Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Japan

The Portland Japanese Garden thanks the following for their support throughout this journey:

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Geoffrey Hoefer & the Omomuki Foundation, Masatoshi Ito & Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Yokohama Bay Quarter, Japan-America Society of Oregon, Walter Clay Hill and Family Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Yamato Global Logistics Japan Co., Ltd., Uyeno Transtech Ltd., Pacific Collaboratives, LLC, Pacific Lumber & Shipping, LLC, Yamato Transport USA, Inc., Uyeno Transtech Ltd., Pacific Collaboratives, LLC, Pacific Lumber & Shipping, LLC, and Yamato Transport U.S.A., Inc.

Portland Japanese School / ポートランド日本人学校

The International School

Japanese Heritage School of Portland / ポートランド日本語継承学校

Sakura Kai / さくら会

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611 SW KINGSTON AVENUE • PORTLAND, OREGON 97205

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