"In a Japanese Garden"
By Lafcadio Hearn

"No effort to create an impossible or pure ideal landscape is made in the Japanese Garden.  Its artistic purpose is to copy faithfully the veritable landscape, and to convey the real impression that a real landscape communicates.  It is therefore at once a picture and a poem; perhaps even more a poem than a picture.  For as nature's scenery, in its varying aspects, affects us with sensations of joy or solemnity, of grimness or of sweetness, of force or of peace, so must the true reflection of it in the labor of the landscape gardener create not merely an impression of beauty, but a mood in the soul."

Excerpted from:
The Atlantic Monthly
Volume 70, Issue 417
July 1892

Garden Reopens

After repairing extensive hurricane damage, the board has re-opened the Yakumo Nihon Teien.  We would like to thank all of our friends and supporters who were able to join us on Saturday, May 19th for the celebration.

A few pictures of the event can be found here.

We now look forward to beginning the second phase of construction which will include a structure on the viewing platform that can be used for tea ceremonies, receptions and other events.  If anyone would like more information about the re-opening ceremony or the upcoming construction, Dr. Strong can be reached via e-mail at president@JGSNewOrleans.org.