Kenilworth Garden ClubVisit to the Osaka Garden

Jackson ParkSeptember 15, 2010

Hosted by Friends of the Japanese Garden

Brief History of the Garden (1)

1893 • Japan emerging as an important world power,• First foreign government to commit support to

the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. • Gave $500,000 to the Fair and built a replica of

the Phoenix Hall (Byodoin) in Uji on Jackson Park's Wooded Island (near the site of the Fair).

• This structure, then known as 'Ho-o-den', along with some minor landscape elements, became the core of what is now called the Osaka Garden.

Source: jgarden.org

Brief History of the Garden (2)1934• re-developed as the 'Japanese Garden' as part of the Century of Progress World's Fair. • A tea house, built as part of the garden, was moved to Wooded Island shortly after the end of the

Fair. • The Park District also constructed a peninsula, added a Shinto-style gate (torii) and enclosed the

site, giving it a more private, garden-like atmosphere. 1944• The Phoenix Hall replica was destroyed by fire in 1944, but the garden continued to be

maintained. 1981 • The Park District renovated the garden in 1981 and added a waterfall. 1992• The name was changed to 'Osaka Garden' in 1992, to honor Chicago's Sister City. At that time,

the City of Osaka donated $250,000 for some renovations to the garden, including a new entrance gate, built in 1995 by Okumura Designs.

2001 • Redesign by Sadafumi Uchiyama• Phase 1 reconstruction of waterfall, pond and lagoon completed in 2002 ($400,000)• Phase 2 plan is more extensive (see attached)

Influence on Frank Lloyd Wright

• Ho-o-den motifs in Oak Park houses

• Wright became a significant dealer of Japanese prints, conducted exhibition at the Art Institute

• Extensive travel in Japan

• Wright’s Imperial Hotel survived 1923 Kanto Earthquake

Structures in the Garden

• Ho-o-den

• Tea House from 1933 World’s Fair

• Current Tea Pavilion

• Original Shinto Lanterns

• Turtle island (kame shima)

• Future Concepts

City of Osaka Relationship

• 1973 Sister City Relationship

• 1995 Rededicated “Osaka Garden”

• 2008 35th Anniversary Rededication

Friends of the Japanese Garden Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote and sustain enjoyment of the garden in its full cultural and historical context.

Earth Day, April 2010

• 50 Volunteers built shoreline• Gardeners pulled ivy, planted liriope

Summer Event, August 2010

• Garden Volunteers planted shrubs• Cultural festival included Judo demonstration

(RJ Cohen) and Tsukasa Taiko drumming (Director Tatsu Aoki)