Normandale Community College and the City of Bloomington planned an amazing event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Japanese Garden on September 19, and despite rainy conditions for a good part of the day, there was a great turnout to celebrate this Bloomington landmark.
The Japanese Garden’s Connection to the City of Bloomington and Normandale Community College
City of Bloomington Manager Elizabeth Tolzmann spoke about Japanese Garden’s legacy as a place that has become an enduring part of the community, and allowed community members and visitors to create connections and have shared experiences.
“The City of Bloomington’s mission is “to cultivate an enduring and remarkable community where people want to be,” said Tolzmann. “The word cultivate seems especially fitting. Cultivating a remarkable community is about more than the services we provide or the infrastructure we build. It is also about nurturing places and relationships that create connection, belonging, learning, and shared experiences. This garden is one of those places.”
Normandale Community College President Pakou Yang remarked on what an important role the Japanese Garden and the volunteers have played in helping the college be a gathering place for the surrounding community.
“For 50 years, the Normandale Japanese Garden has welcomed students, families, visitors, volunteers, and community members,” said Dr. Yang. “It is a place where people have found moments of reflection, celebrated important milestones, and created lasting memories. One of the key roles of a community college is to serve as a resource for its community, and the Japanese Garden has helped Normandale fulfill that mission by creating a place that welcomes, inspires, and connects people from across the region.”
Normandale Asian Cultural Club Student President Joji Schulte and the Director of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago Foundation Yuya Murata also spoke at the event.
Turtle Island Dedicated to Japanese Garden Supporters and Volunteers
The speakers wrapped up with Normandale Foundation Executive Director Jane Fenton acknowledging the Japanese American veterans of the Military Intelligence Service who made the first major gift to the garden, helping to fund the Bentendo and the drum bridge in 1976. She also talked about the many volunteers who have helped make the Japanese Garden what it is today. Turtle Island, located in pond area of the Garden, was dedicated to honor the efforts of all the Garden’s volunteers and supporters.
“Generation after generation of volunteers has cared for this garden and shared it with the public.” said Fenton. “They have led tours, raised awareness, organized events, raised funds, and advocated for its preservation. They have supported shoreline restoration, painting, landscaping, infrastructure maintenance, signage, and countless other improvements—many of them visible, and many quietly accomplished behind the scenes. A garden does not endure for 50 years by accident. It endures because people choose, again and again, to care for it.”
Remembering the Legacy of original Japanese Garden volunteers Bunnie Aaze and Yvonne Ticen
One of the featured sessions was “Growing up with the Garden” Karen Holcomb (Bunnie Aaze’s daughter) and Mary Sticha (Yvonne Ticen’s daughter), descendants of the founding members of the Friends of the Japanese Garden.
Bunnie and Yvonne were part of the Bloomington Affiliated Garden Club that won a national prize to start the chain of events that led to the idea of the Japanese Garden, and eventually to connecting with the Garden’s architect Takao Watanable, who helped bring the idea to life. Karen and Mary shared their experiences and stories of Bunnie and Yvonne, and how dedicated both of them and all of the volunteers were to making sure the Japanese Garden was a place the community could enjoy.
Maintaining the beauty of the Japanese Garden
Maintaining a Japanese Garden to be beautiful and clean for the public is no easy task. Normandale Horticulturist Sam Kaufman provided tours during the event that detailed the history, design principles, and unique plant species in the Japanese Garden. Kauffman works throughout the year to maintain the different plants and trees around the garden to make sure they meet the design principles of Japanese Garden.
Events and Festivities
Visitors to the celebration were also treated to Sansei Yonsei Kai Dance, a Tea Ceremony, Shakuhachi Music in the Garden and Harisen Daiko Taiko Drumming.
There was also a self-defense demonstration by recently retired Japanese Instructor Yoshi Satoh and alumni Adam Kultangwatana, and a Kendo Demonstration (Japanese Swordship).
There were also a number of booths including Kimono Display – Sansei Yonsei Kai, JASM - Samurai Hat Making, JACL - Origami Cranes, Bloomington Sister City Organization, St. Paul Nagasaki Sister City, Great Tea Road Co., Kendama, Calligraphy, Matcha, Kelly Anderson Magnet Making, Anime Twin Cities, Victoria Moron and Ikebana International Chapter 121 - Flower Arrangements.
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