Join us for Hatsumomiji (初紅葉) – the beloved tradition of appreciating nature’s art. Each day brings out more colors to the Seattle Japanese Garden during this time of year, creating a breathtaking view.
Puget Area Paperfolding Enthusiasts Roundtable or P.A.P.E.R. is returning to the Garden 11:00am - 2:00pm on October 10 for an early autumn origami workshop. Volunteer origami instructors will lead instruction on introductory origami techniques suitable for guests of all ages in the Tateuchi Community Room.
Join us for a talk and demonstration of the stonemasonry work used to build the new ishigaki wall at the Seattle Japanese Garden!
(Workshop intended for professionals and students in the landscape industry)
For our April Family Saturday programming, we are pleased to welcome Seattle-based origami group, P.A.P.E.R., back to the Garden. Volunteer origami instructors will lead instruction on introductory origami techniques suitable for guests of all ages in the Tateuchi Community Room.
The roots of Ori (折り, folding) Gami (紙=kami, paper) originates in the 6th century in Japan. Use of paper was limited only to formal ceremonies and rituals and was not commonly available for recreational paper folding until the 17th century. Today, origami is enjoyed around the world and continues to evolve its art form
Please join us for Origami in the Garden and experience the joy of paper folding!
Papers and instructions will be available for all visitors in the community room 11am – 1pm.
Admission is free for all youth 12 and under from 10am – 2pm for Family Saturday.
Family Saturdays are made possible in part by 4culture.
Join us for Hatsumomiji (初紅葉) – the beloved tradition of appreciating nature’s art. Each day brings out more colors to the Seattle Japanese Garden during this time of year creating a breathtaking view.
* Admission to the garden ends 45 minutes prior to the closing time (No admission after 4:15pm)
* Plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the closing time
* Tripods are not allowed in the garden
You will learn how to dye fabric with indigo, a plant also known as Indigofera tinctoria.
Demonstration will be held in the Meadow area North of the Tea House from 11am-1:00pm and is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited, so plan to arrive early!
Admission is FREE from 10am to 2pm for visitors 12 and under for Family Saturday!
For our very first Family Saturday in March, Seattle-based origami group, P.A.P.E.R., will show you some origami techniques in the Tateuchi Community Room.
The roots of Ori (折り, folding) Gami (紙=kami, paper) originates in the 6th century in Japan. Use of paper was limited only to formal ceremonies and rituals and was not commonly available for recreational paper folding until the 17th century. Today, origami is enjoyed around the world and continues to evolve its art form.
Please join us for Origami in the Garden and experience the joy of paper folding!
Papers and instructions will be available for all visitors in the community room 11am – 1pm.
Admission is free for all youth 12 and under from 10am – 2pm for Family Saturday.
Join us on Thursday, March 6th for the first Free First Thursday of 2025 featuring the exhibit opening reception of 'SHU 朱 - Scarlet' by Olympia based calligrapher Chiyo Sanada.
Statement from the Artist:
My passion for Japanese calligraphy (shodo) has never changed. I enjoy sharing my love of Shodo, and I have always passionately explored new techniques and styles, blending elements of tradition with contemporary ones, since I moved to America 25 years ago. Because of Shodo, I could adapt to my new life in America; it was my magic tool to connect people. America's diverse culture, creativity, and expression have influenced my work significantly. My mission is to use shodo to connect people across cultures.
I grew up in Hiroshima and started taking shodo lessons at age seven from a kind-hearted neighborhood teacher. My mother told me to take this after-school activity because good penmanship is necessary. I was drawn to calligraphy and kept learning it. I enjoyed creating art for my family, especially my grandma (Obachan). At 17, I started thinking about my future and decided to become a teacher to share the joy of shodo with people worldwide.
Japanese calligraphy is an art form that goes beyond words. The characters' strength, delicacy, and beauty are deeply intertwined with the profound philosophy of Japanese culture. My work attempts to capture the emotions and thoughts that arise within me and bring them to life on the surface. The moment I hold the brush, my heart is calm, and when the ink touches the surface, each stroke is imbued with a sense of vitality and energy. The flow of nature and energy guides my hand through calligraphy. "Ichi-go ichi-e is a Japanese idiom that describes a cultural concept of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment. It teaches us to cherish each encounter, for it will never occur again in the same way. I cannot create a piece of calligraphy in the same precise way. I practice pages and pages, but I will know the one when my mind, brush, ink, and paper match perfectly.
Final entry to the garden is 45 minutes before closing.
The exhibition ‘SHU 朱 - Scarlet’ by Olympia based calligrapher Chiyo Sanada will be on display in the Tateuchi Community Room from March 6 through the end of April. ‘SHU 朱 - Scarlet’ features striking pieces that utilize the traditional colors of temples and Torii gates throughout Japan and combine abstract elements with traditional calligraphy.
Admission is free all day on March 6th for our Free First Thursday. Meet the artist from 4pm - 5:45pm during the opening reception and get the first look at this intriguing exhibit. ‘SHU 朱 - Scarlet’ will be on display in the Tateuchi Community Room till the end of April.
Entry to the garden is free the whole day from noon to closing for Free First Thursday.
Final entry to the garden is 45 minutes before closing.
Join us for Hatsumomiji (初紅葉) – the beloved tradition of appreciating nature’s art. Each day brings out more colors to the Seattle Japanese Garden during this time of year creating a breathtaking view.
* Admission to the garden ends 45 minutes prior to the closing time (No admission after 4:15pm)
* Plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the closing time
* Tripods are not allowed in the garden
This event is canceled due to the weather. It is an outdoor event, and the weather forecast predicts rain in Seattle on June 15.
You will learn how to dye fabric with indigo, a plant also known as Indigofera tinctoria.
Demonstration will be held in the Meadow area North of the Tea House from 11am-1:00pm and is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited, so plan to arrive early!
Admission is FREE from 10am to 2pm for visitors 12 and under for April Family Saturday!
Join us for Momijigari (紅葉狩り) – the beloved tradition of appreciating nature’s art. Each day brings out more colors to the Seattle Japanese Garden during this time of year creating a breathtaking view.
* Admission to the garden ends 45 minutes prior to the closing time (No admission after 4:15pm)
* Plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the closing time
* Tripods are not allowed in the garden
You will learn how to dye fabric with indigo, a plant also known as Indigofera tinctoria.
Demonstration will be held in the Meadow area North of the Tea House from 11am-1:00pm and is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited, so plan to arrive early!
Admission is FREE from 10am to 2pm for visitors 12 and under for April Family Saturday!
Join us for Momijigari (紅葉狩り) – the beloved tradition of appreciating nature’s art. Each day brings out more colors to the Seattle Japanese Garden during this time of year creating a breathtaking view.
Self-guided maple tour brochures are available at the gatehouse all day.
Seattle Japanese Garden scavenger hunt will be available Tuesday-Friday 11am-1pm and 11am-3pm on weekends during the festival. It’s a fun way to learn about maple trees in our Garden and other Japanese garden elements!
* Admission to the garden ends 45 minutes prior to the closing time (No admission after 4:15pm)
* Plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the closing time
* Tripods are not allowed in the garden
Hillary Moore is a Seattle artist whose work is inspired by the wonder of childhood. For our June Family Saturday, Hillary will be demonstrating and leading a family-friendly, shibori-inspired art workshop in the garden. Come explore patterns and textures in nature using resist techniques!
Hillary’s background is in illustration and painting as well as education and creative youth development.
FREE admission to all youth 12 and younger from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Family Saturday.
(*This event was originally planned for June of 2020.)
Are you making a wish upon the stars on Tanabata this year? We are, here at the Seattle Japanese Garden! Our wish is to celebrate Tanabata with you in person next year in 2022.
Enjoy the Tanabata story and other activities below, and write your with on a tanzaku.
Join our online Ikebana workshop and learn the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement! This workshop will be taught by Sogestsu Ikebana instructor Mie Ross, from local Ikebana International Chapter 19.
Join us for the annual Japanese star festival - Normally, Tanabata 七夕 at the garden is a family-friendly event full of magnificent colors, fun craft making, and Tanzaku wishing station. This year, the event is going to be all virtual and still lots of fun!
We will not be having any hands-on workshops in the garden for a while. But, just like us, Norimi Kusanagi, a pressed flower artist, has been quarantined at her home on Bainbridge Island and has continued to make more artwork using plants she finds in her neighborhood.
Norimi shares a story from her walk this spring during quarantine.
Hillary Moore is a Seattle artist whose work is inspired by the wonder of childhood. For our June Family Saturday, Hillary is sharing downloadable instructions for a fun mixed media ‘Wave Pattern Project’ with our young audiences and their family.
Find some coffee filters and paint, and explore the colors and patterns in nature!
Our koi friends at the Seattle Japanese Garden are a little disappointed this year not to have your company for their favorite day of the year, Koi Day, but they too are staying home and staying healthy!
Here are some ideas to enjoy Koi Day from home.
Kathy Hattori of Botanical Colors will be showing us how to dye fabric with indigo, a plant also known as Indigofera tinctoria.
Demonstration will be held in the Tateuchi Community Room from 4pm-5:30pm and is FREE with garden admission. Space is limited, so plan to arrive early!
Garden admission is also FREE to everyone after 1pm for Free First Thursday. Complimentary light refreshments provided.
