Thank you for joining us at Garden Party 2021!

Text by Jessa Gardner, photos courtesy of Jonathan West

Thank you so much for joining us for Garden Party 2021! This special event was the culmination of our 60th kanreki anniversary celebration. It was truly a beautiful evening despite being held on one of the hottest days of the year!

The view upon entry into Garden Party.

Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation by Consul General of Japan in Seattle Hisao Inagaki. Arboretum Foundation Executive Director Jane Stonecipher and Seattle Parks and Recreation Deputy Superintendent Christopher Williams accepted the award on behalf of the Seattle Japanese Garden.

Consul General of Japan in Seattle Hisao Inagaki presents the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to the Seattle Japanese Garden. Arboretum Foundation Executive Director Jane Stonecipher and Seattle Parks and Recreation Deputy Superintendent Christopher Williams accept the award on behalf of the garden.

Certificate of Commendation presented to the Seattle Japanese Garden.

It was amazing to listen to composer Paul Chihara talk about his long history as an artist and his special bond with his hometown, Seattle. His long career inspired his composition “The Garden of Enchantment”, which was commissioned by the Arboretum Foundation for the Seattle Japanese Garden’s 60th anniversary.

Paul Chihara sharing the inspiration behind his composition “The Garden of Enchantment”.

The composition was performed by three very talented musicians: Noah Geller (violin) and Efe Baltacigil (cello) of the Seattle Symphony, and Mari Yoshinaga (marimba) of arx duo and The Percussion Collective.

Performers Noah Geller, Efe Baltacigil, and Mari Yoshinaga play from the Moon Viewing Platform.

After the performance, guests enjoyed a delicious bento dinner prepared by local Japanese-American caterer Kanako Koizumi and her amazing company Kozmo Kitchen. They also enjoyed premium sake, including a special take-home bottle at the end of the evening!

Bento dinner prepared by Kozmo Kitchen.

A take-home bottle of sake to end the evening!

Thanks to all of the amazing volunteers that helped make this event happen, as well as the generous support of Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Special thanks to Ms. Yuka Shimizu for generously underwriting “The Garden of Enchantment”.