FEATURED EVENT


JAPANESE GARDENS AS HEALING SPACES
Join us for an enlightening evening with Professor Kendall Brown, renowned author of Visionary Landscapes, as he redefines the meaning and role of Japanese gardens in the modern world. Once seen as static symbols of tradition, these gardens have evolved into dynamic, immersive environments—living works of art designed to engage the senses, stimulate the mind, and foster human connection.
In this visually rich presentation, Professor Brown delves into how Japanese gardens have long served as places of multi-sensory pleasure and mental stimulation, offering the potential for personal transformation. He traces their dramatic evolution from tranquil retreats into powerful tools for social and personal change. Today, Japanese gardens are being reimagined internationally—in hospitals, substance abuse centers, and even prisons. From the Stroll for Well-Being Program at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden to the Therapeutic Horticulture Programs at the University of Florida, discover how landscape designers are creating spaces that heal, inspire, and unite.
LECTURE INFO
Thursday, May 29, 2025
6:30PM EDT (Doors open at 6:00PM)
Send any inquiries to
jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Kendall Brown is Emeritus Professor of Asian Art History at California State University Long Beach. He publishes actively in several areas of Japanese art and has organized exhibitions for several American museums, exploring topics from modern woodblock prints to Art Deco. He is a leading figure in the study of Japanese gardens in North America, having published three books on the topic. In 2011, he co-founded the North American Japanese Garden Association.
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