Japanese Gardens in California

In conjunction with the North American Japanese Garden Association, this talk will reveal the history of three Japanese gardens in California: the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, Hakone Estate & Gardens (Saratoga, California), and SuihoEn (Van Nuys, California). The presenters will share their garden's design, exploring what makes their garden Japanese and discuss issues of authenticity.  

Presenters

Steven Pitsenbarger, Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco

Steven Pitsenbarger has been a gardener at the Japanese Tea Garden since 2007 and enjoys studying the garden’s rich history. He is a NAJGA board member and has been a contributor to the NAJGA Journal and a presenter at NAJGA's conferences. He has also spent many years performing as a musician, and is an avid runner who completed the Boston Marathon in 2015.

Shozo Kagoshima, Hakone Estate & Gardens

Shozo Kagoshima is the Executive Director of the Hakone Foundation in Saratoga, CA. Shozo is a native Californian, born and raised in the San Jose area. He spent the first 35 years of his career at the world-famous Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. He has spent the past five years as Executive Director for the Hakone Foundation leading a team of 10 staff members in managing the historic Hakone Estate and Gardens. He enjoys his “office view” every day because it is so tranquil and beautiful no matter what season it is.

Patrick Rigney, SuihoEn

As a Landscape Architect for the past 30 years with the City of Los Angeles/LASAN Patrick has been responsible for all the grounds care, staff training, nursery and construction management. From his early beginning his design background ranges the from Hollywood stars homes to native urban landscapes, but his real passion is his love for the Japanese Garden. His interest includes gardening with his family, road trips to visit museums and to see the sites along the way, and all things historical.

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