In February, Japan House’s Education and Engagement Coordinator, Michael Darin, went to Fort Worth Botanic Garden who partnered with NAJGA to participate in a NAJGA Regional Workshop with hands-on learning opportunities and education particular to Japanese gardens.

The first two days focused on re-imaging a distant view of the main waterfall inside FWBG’s Japanese Garden, with an underlying theme of repurposing existing and stored material from the garden.

Under the guidance of John Powell and Nick Esthus, Michael and other 8 other members assisted with tasks such as stone arrangement and installation, balling and burlapping a pine tree, bamboo fence construction, knot tying, stone paving and planting.

Large, yet carefully-maneuvered machinery was used to guide the heavy stones and trees into place. After 2 days in the low 30’s (in TEXAS?!), they were finally able to step back and enjoy the newly refreshed area of the Japanese Garden.

The final day was held in nearby Grand Prairie, in the private garden of Don and Akiko Meiners. Participants learned about the art of wara juraku, a traditional wall treatment made of sand, straw and earth that is troweled on. They were treated to a tour of the Meiner’s garden and participated in an informal tea ceremony in the new tea room.