Japanese American Gardeners: Their Stories and Their Landscapes
Japanese-style gardens were first introduced to the United States at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. They proliferated across the country and continue to enjoy mainstream popularity to the present day. However, few look beyond the surface to look at the Japanese American gardeners who created and maintained them, as well as the roles the gardens and the gardeners played in the development of their communities. Racial discrimination and stereotypes were factors that led so many Issei and Nisei to this industry, but their values, artistry, and hard work have left indelible marks on the American landscape. Today, there are few left in the profession. Landscapers and gardeners are now predominantly Latino, revealing a new wave of American immigrants. Click on the link below to read an article from the Museum Store Online about Japanese American gardeners. In conjunction with the Japanese American National Museum’s exhibition, Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden, there’s also an accompanying trivia quiz promotion available to residents of the United States. Read the article, take the trivia quiz, and then return here to share your thoughts or memories of Nikkei gardeners: Japanese American Gardeners: Their Stories and Their Landscapes |
