Oral History
History of the Seattle Japanese Garden is told from the perspective of those who know its every inch most intimately: the gardeners. The series reveals a little-known history of stewardship and mentoring that’s continued for over sixty years.
Jim Thomas
About Jim: Jim Thomas was the head gardener at Seattle Japanese Garden from 1989 until 2005, though his involvement with maintaining the garden began as early as 1980. He continued working in the garden until 2016, his last year of annual pine pruning in November, making him the staff gardener with the longest hands-on involvement in the garden. Thomas is responsible for training dozens of gardeners using the lessons he learned from Dick Yamasaki and for sharing his experience and knowledge of the garden through his words. Read the blog post >>
Mark Akai
About Mark: Mark Akai contributed his innumerable skills to the garden over a fifty-year span—including as an advisory board member. He reflects on how his personal relationships shaped his career, which, in turn, shaped the garden itself. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Read the blog post >>
Masa Mizuno
About Masa: Masa Mizuno retired from consulting for Seattle Japanese Garden in 2023 after more than thirty years. Mizuno reflects on how the culture of the United States changed the way he approaches his work and how he came to understand what makes the garden fit so well into the chosen site. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Pete Putnicki
About Pete: Pete Putnicki, the current Senior Gardener, has expanded his role during his decade-long tenure to include authoring numerous blog posts and articles for the Arboretum Bulletin. He reflects on the throughline of intentionality at the heart of the garden’s past, present, and future. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Seattle Japanese Garden Oral History project was made possible with the support from 4Culture and the University of Washington Botanic Gardens Elisabeth C. Miller Library.
