Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden
Discover the global cultural initiative of Portland Japanese Garden
Upper pond in summer (2017-05-31) by Photographer Credit: Mike CentioliPortland Japanese Garden
What is Japan Institute?
Japan Institute was established in 2022 as a global cultural initiative of Portland Japanese Garden. It has three programming centers: the Global Center for Culture and Art, International Exchange Forum, and the International Japanese Garden Training Center.
Purpose
Japan Institute, a sibling organization of Portland Japanese Garden, allows the organization to share and expand on its programs more broadly around the world, deepen international partnerships, and continue to engage diverse people through shared experiences.
Kabuki Performance at the Garden (2017-08-14) by Photographer Credit: Jonathan LeyPortland Japanese Garden
Global Center for Culture and Art
The Global Center for Culture and Art explores the interrelationship of humanity and nature through the lens of Japanese art. The programming is offered in a manner that requires no translation or prior knowledge of Japan so that it can be inclusive and accessible to all.
Art
In 2021, Japan Institute named Rui Sasaki its first Artist-in-Residence. Sasaki’s artist-in-residence and 2023 art exhibition, Subtle Intimacy: Here and There, is an example of where Japan Institute’s program (the artist-in-residency) brings a unique experience to the Garden.
Visual, performance, cultural, and culinary arts
The Global Center for Culture and Art offers a diverse range of programs, including exhibitions, artist residencies, culinary events, traditional classes (chado, ikebana, bonsai, haiku), Japanese crafts, performing arts, festivals, and exclusive events like yabusame and sumo.
London Peace Symposium (2022) by Photographer Credit: Hayley MaddenPortland Japanese Garden
International Exchange Forum
The International Exchange Forum connects global communities for dialogue through exploring those ideals of Japanese culture which resonate in every culture, including appreciation of craftsmanship, a personal connection to nature, and the search for internal and external peace.
Peace Symposia
The International Exchange Forum's signature international Peace Symposia series convenes leaders from numerous cultural, horticultural, intellectual, and diplomatic fields to discuss the evolving role of public spaces as platforms for peacebuilding and community engagement.
Gifts of peace
Through the International Exchange Forum, Japan Institute presented masterfully handcrafted replicas of Portland Japanese Garden’s beloved Peace Lantern to the cities of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Tokyo, Japan as well as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London, England in 2022.
Waza to Kokoro, International Japanese Garden Training Center's flagship programPortland Japanese Garden
International Japanese Garden Training Center
The International Japanese Garden Training Center combines traditional education in the skills and techniques for creating and fostering Japanese gardens with modern-day instruction presented in English. The Training Center's programming is unique to the world outside of Japan.
Workshops and more!
The Training Center offers learners of all levels the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese garden and its philosophies. It offers workshops, themed tours, school programs, lectures, professional seminars, and design intensives.
Subtle Intimacy: Here and There, Amayadori (2023-03-21) by Artist: Rui Sasaki and Photographer Credit: Hanmi Meyer, Bullseye Glass Co.Portland Japanese Garden
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