May at the Portland Japanese Garden brings two of the Garden's most popular family days, Kodomo no Hi--Children's Day and the celebration of Mother's Day, as well as a spectacular bonsai exhibition and two Garden workshops.

May 3, Noon-4pm: Kodomo no Hi--Children's Day, Free with Garden Admission
Celebrate Kodomo no Hi at the Garden this year with a variety of children's activities and performances for families, including a Taste of Tea for children in the Garden's Kashintei Tea House, the raising of the brilliantly colored new koi nobori carp banners, the making of paper kabuto helmets and paper koi kites, taiko drumming, and other perennially popular Children's Day activities for the entire family.

As part of this year's Children's Day at the Garden, Shorinji Kempo teachers and their young students will demonstrate the rhythmic, almost dancelike movements of this strict physical discipline of mind and body. Shorinji Kempo is a martial art form that is a physical, mental and spiritual practice with the goal of improving both mind and body while uniting people of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. Based on the principles of Zen Buddhism, it is non-competitive and emphasizes cooperation and mutual respect. Boys and girls in training at the Shorinji Kempo School in Portland will demonstrate some of the skills they are learning led by Tanaka Yasunari, 6th Dan Portland Branch Master Teacher.

May 10, 10am-7pm, Mother's Day, Free with Garden Admission
Mother's Day is always special at the Portland Japanese Garden and this year proves no exception. Guests to the Garden on Mother's Day will be treated to a spectacular bonsai exhibition in the Garden's Pavilion. Hosted by the Bonsai Society of Portland, this exhibition includes some outstanding examples of traditional bonsai. Families and friends are welcome to stroll through the Garden to see spring as it unfolds in this most special of settings, and trained guides will be stationed throughout the Garden to answer questions about the Garden's plants, history, and culture.

May 9-10, 10am-6pm, Exhibition by Bonsai Society of Portland, Free with Garden Admission
During the Mother's Day weekend, the Bonsai Society of Portland (BSOP) will be holding an exhibition of bonsai in the Garden's Pavilion. Members of the BSOP will offer tours of the exhibition and hold demonstrations on the Pavilion's East Veranda.

May 16 and 30, Gardening Workshops
To get into the swing of spring, the Garden will hold two gardening workshops in May: Pine Candling (May 16) and Organic Gardening (May 30). Each workshop is open to the public, runs from 9am-3pm, and costs $65 for members and $85 for non-members. More details are available at www.japanesegarden.com/events.

The Portland Japanese Garden has been proclaimed by his Excellency Nobuo Matsunaga, former Ambassador of Japan, to be "the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan." The Garden is above Washington Park at 611 SW Kingston Drive in SW Portland, Oregon. The Garden is open daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Hours are 10am-4pm October 1-March 31, and 10am-7pm April 1-September 30. www.japanesegarden.com