GARDEN & JAPANESE AMERICAN | Discussion | Unearthing History: Japanese American Resilience in Southern California Gardens | Sept. 5, 2:00-3:30PM | Japanese American National Museum JAPAN
Posted on August 3, 2026 by Cultural News
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and the Nikkei Genealogical Society present a special program Unearthing History: Japanese American Resilience in Southern California Gardens at the Democracy Center of the JANM on Saturday, September 5, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Weaving in family history and the broader theme of Japanese American resilience, moderator Paul Mori will lead a conversation with panelists Kendall “Ken” Brown, Terri Clay, and Jeff Sczechowski, followed by a Q&A.
Kendall Brown will explore the life and work of Kintsuchi Fujii, the designer of the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden in Pasadena, which is considered one of the best chisen kaiyu shiki teien (pond strolling gardens) created in the US prior to WWII. After presenting Fujii’s compelling biography, Brown will address how Fujii’s gardens relate to other early 20th century residential and commercial gardens across North America.
Terri Clay will discuss the work of Frank Fujii, who created the Japanese Garden at Lotusland in Santa Barbara with a vision of serenity and quiet contemplation in mind. She will explore his background, the influence of his father, Kintsuchi Fujii, and the history, design, and ongoing stewardship of one of Lotusland’s most iconic gardens.
Jeff Sczechowski will give a presentation on bonsai, exploring what it means to be a caretaker for a long bonsai. He will highlight this by sharing the story of how Amy Kakimoto’s olive bonsai tree survived World War II.
Select bonsai will be on display in the lobby on loan from the Huntington Botanical Gardens & Library and the Bonsai Club of Barbara.
Panelists
Kendall “Ken” Brown is an emeritus professor of Asian Art History at CSU Long Beach, co-founder of the North American Japanese Garden Association, and author of several books exploring Japanese gardens in North America.
Terri Clay is the horticultural supervisor of the Japanese Garden at Lotusland. With forty years of pruning experience, she worked alongside Lotusland’s Japanese garden co-creator Frank Fujii for twenty years and also lends her expertise to the historic Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden.
Paul Mori is a music professor and conductor at Westmont College and a member of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation’s Asian American History Advisory Committee.
Jeff Sczechowski is the former president of the Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara. He brings a wealth of bonsai expertise to the panel, having studied extensively at Bonsai Mirai and curated a highly diverse personal collection.