The Southern California Gardeners’ Federation (SCGF) celebrated its 70th anniversary with a significant ceremony on March 30 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo.
The event unveiled a plaque dedicated to the legacy of Japanese American gardeners, marking a momentous occasion for the community.
Rain in the morning provided a refreshing backdrop, enhancing the beauty of the JACCC’s Seiryuen, also known as the James Irvine Japanese Garden, contributing to the serene atmosphere as guests gathered.
The ceremony commenced with a vibrant drum performance by Kishin Taiko, setting an energetic tone before the unveiling of the Nikkei Gardeners Memorial Plaque.
SCGF President Brian Yamasaki and Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, Kenko Sone, led the unveiling, which was met with applause from the audience.
The plaque, inscribed in both English and Japanese, includes a senryu stating, “The greenest beauty is the deep American pride of the Nikkei gardeners.” It further elaborates on the contributions of these gardeners to the community and the Seiryuen garden itself.
Japanese immigrant gardeners played a crucial role in reshaping their community’s reputation in post-World War II California.
Known for their hard work and integrity, these gardeners built a foundation of trust and respect for Japanese and Japanese Americans.
While the 1960s saw around 8,000 Nikkei gardeners, their numbers have since dwindled.
To preserve their legacy, the SCGF decided to erect a permanent monument in Seiryuen, the garden originally established by SCGF members over two years of volunteer effort following the JACCC’s construction in 1979.
The JACCC generously offered the space for the monument, and funding came from donations from SCGF members and the community.
After the unveiling, guests moved indoors for the formal installation of new SCGF officers.
Vice President Masao Morisaku (shigin name Kokuyu Morisaku) delivered a shigin recital, presenting his original work titled “Poem of Southern California Gardeners’ Federation.”
President Yamasaki conveyed gratitude, emphasizing the federation’s mission: “The dedication of our members over the past seven decades has been instrumental in keeping this art alive, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate the legacy of the Japanese gardens in Southern California.”
He noted, “This garden stands as a testament to our federation’s commitment to preservation, and we reaffirm our dedication to maintaining this living legacy for generations to come.”
Honored guests including Consul General Sone, Kihei Otani (Nanka Kenjin Kyogikai president), Kitty Sankey (former president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California), Patricia Wyatt (president and CEO of JACCC), and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) shared their reflections.
Muratsuchi, notably the only Japanese American in the California Legislature, remarked, “It’s our community that was built on the backs of Japanese American gardeners. They went into gardening to work hard and to sacrifice for their children and grandchildren.”
The afternoon included a toast led by Hisamori Iwashita, 2025 advisor and past president of SCGF. Guests then enjoyed a kaiseki meal prepared by the JACCC chef.
Sankyaku “Sunny” Seki, a photographer and children’s book author who serves as a senryu judge for the local Rashin Senryu group, delivered a lecture on the history of SCGF and the significance of senryu created by Japanese American gardeners.
His book, “Gardeners’ Pioneer Stories,” articulates the emotional and cultural heritage expressed through these senryu.
Seki also acknowledged the late Shoji Nagumo, recognized as the
image source from：rafu
