Creating a Japanese garden is not about simply arranging plants or rocks – it is about gaining a sense of peace in a busy, modernized world, said Masashi Oshita in a lecture on the art of traditional Japanese gardens.
“You don’t even recognize (it) but your mind is looking for a silent place of peace … I hope that I can help you here tonight,” Mr. Oshita said at the lecture.
Originally from Hiroshima, Japan, Mr. Oshita resides in Asheville, N.C., and is the only classically trained Japanese gardener in the state. He works around the Southeast constructing traditional Japanese gardens that focus on simplicity and harmony with the environment.
On Nov. 3, the Atlanta Botanical Garden hosted the lecture, in partnership with the Consulate General of Japan and the Japan-America Society of Georgia.
The consul general, Takuji Hanatani, introduced Mr. Oshita and said that gaining an appreciation for Japanese gardens is one way to understand Japanese culture.
“Gardens can be windows into the value of the culture,” said Mr. Hanatani.
The lecture is one of the many events sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Georgia focused on creating a better understanding of Japanese culture within Georgia.
For more information on the Japan-America Society of Georgia, visit www.jasgeorgia.org.
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