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Ingrid Simbulan
English 115 Honors
Professor Lawson
Cultural Spaces and Places Analysis Essay
9 December 2016
Word Count: 1,222
The Japanese Garden
Over the years some of the most beautiful gardens have been created throughout Los
Angeles such as the Exposition Park Rose Garden and the Central Garden at the Getty Center.
We are lucky to have our own right here in the valley- The Japanese Garden. Suiho-en, or the
Garden of Water and Fragrance, is a Japanese style garden. Unlike the gardens at Exposition
Park or the Getty, this Japanese Garden is specific to Japanese culture and is one of their most
common art forms. Gardens such as this one are enjoyed by the public all across the United
States. The Japanese Garden provides a serene and scenic environment as well as an appreciation
for the Japanese culture that contrasts the busy, city-life community outside its gates for the
locals of the San Fernando Valley.
The Japanese Garden was exceptionally delightful on a nice, semi-gloomy Sunday with
bits sunlight peeping through the clouds every now and then. Visitors are greeted by a security
guard who told directs guests exactly where to go. Friendly docents in the nicknack-filled gift
shop greet visitors with smiles and sell tickets. After purchasing our tickets we made our way
down to the welcoming gates of the garden. I remember the very first time I visited the garden

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and I still feel the same wonder and awe the scenery leaves me with every time I stop by for a
visit.
The designated walkways, some of which are paved in grey-toned stone patterns while
most are dirt paths, are for visitors to strictly follow. Despite the abundance of lush greenery, this
is not a typical garden. Kids and adults are not allowed to go beyond any of the paths for the
garden is meant to be preserved so that others in the future may also enjoy this wonderful and
cultural oasis. The water in the garden is reclaimed water processed from the Tillman Recreation
Plant. In building the garden it was said to propose a positive use for this reclaimed water(The
Japanese Garden). This garden is one of many designed by Dr Koichi Kawana to replicate a
traditional Japanese Garden.
The art of Japanese Gardens originated in the Pre-Nara, or Asuka Period dating back to
around 552 AD. It has been around ever since and is deeply rooted to religions such as Shinto,
Buddhism, and Zen Buddhism. Since then, gardens have been created by nobles, priests, and
professional designers. The Japanese Garden was one of the many Japanese style gardens in the
United States designed by Dr Koichi Kawana. He was a native garden designer and architect as
well as a college professor. Dr. Kawana believed the Japanese garden should present natural
forms creating tranquil beauty leading visitors to a calm, reflective communion with nature. That
is exactly what he did with The Japanese Garden and the many others he designed.
Our local garden is composed of multiple of the many different types of Japanese gardens.
Through entering you are welcomed into a Karesansui, or a Dry Garden, which is influenced by
Zen-Buddism. The architectural landscape of this specific garden consists of rocks, stones, and

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gravel. There is also a Tea Garden present towards the Shoin building. This garden is specifically
designed for the tea ceremony. Present in the garden are four different types of
lanterns which are just one of the many elements typically present in a Japanese garden. These
lanterns are symbolic, as are many other the other elements in the Japanese Garden, and each
represent their own meaning. The Heavenly Bridge, Amano-Hashidate, also called a moon bridge
typically reflects the artists feelings. Crane Island is a symbol of longevity and health.
Families and couples stroll through the garden to admire its beauty. Everyone I
encountered on my last trip seemed to be in a pleasant mood and greeted other visitors like
myself with brief but generous hellos before making their way through the garden. Looking
closely in the ponds one can see the little tadpoles picking off the algae on the rocks. The
chirping of the various birds that inhabit and enjoy the garden can be heard throughout as well.
In the Shoin Building, which adjoins the Teahouse, there is enough space for one to do at
least three full length cartwheels across. The small bar-like area is where tea and cookies are
served during events such as Origami Day, which is another ancient art of Japanese paper
folding. There is a line of benches where you can enjoy the view of the lake accompanied by the
subtle breeze of fresh air. Although the various scenic views are breathtaking, the smell of the
reclaimer water isnt exactly mouthwatering, but if you can get past your sense of smell youll
have just as an enjoyable time as all the other visitors of the garden.
During the previous times I have been to the garden it has not once been over capacity,
maybe because I have never been during the occasional events they host throughout the year. The
garden doesn't always look the same due to the different blooming seasons of the numerous
variations of shrubbery.

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Visitors who walk towards the back end of the garden began to hear the sound of water
flowing always seem to enjoy the relaxation it brings as much as I do and can find the cascading
waterfall where a spider had made its home between the trees and shrubs. The three levels of the
waterfall represent heaven, man, and earth. Aside from the immediate sounds of the garden you
can hear the sounds of airplanes flying nearby due to the gardens location being close to the Van
Nuys Airport. This reminder brings visitors back to the reality that you havent quite left the
valley. By the Arbor I found a couple enjoying each others company as well as the overview of
the lake. Towards the end of the roundabout journey as you reach the Administration building
where you can walk up a flight of stairs to find the viewing platform where you can see almost
the entirety of the garden from the Reflection Pond to Crane Island.
The Japanese Garden is located on Woodley next to the park. In spite of there being a sign
that says, The Japanese Garden, people often oversee it as not anything much to look at but
those with curious minds are rewarded with the wonderful sights to be seen after walking
through the gates. Woodley is often busy and bustling with cars during rush hours and many
people drive past here not even aware that such a place exists behind the grey stone walls. I
would personally love to see the garden at night, but the hours are short making it hard for those
busy adults who work those eight-hour shifts to have a chance to stop by the garden. The garden
is a place to forget about the freeway traffic, the heavy work loads, and all the other daily
stresses of life. This is a little getaway from reality that is meant for all to enjoy whether you are
of Asian decent or not. The Japanese Garden welcomes all those who happen to come across this
hidden gem of the valley as my fellow yelp reviewers like to call it(G. Stephanie).

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Works Cited
Headworks, Inc. Headworks Case Study: Tillman Water Reclamation Plant - Los Angeles, CA.
Web. Accessed 25 October 2016.
The Japanese Garden. SuihoEn. The Japanese Garden. Web. 27 October 2016.
Turner, Tom. Garden Visit. Nightingale Garden Company Limited. Web. Accessed 23 October
2016.
Yelp-The Japanese Garden Van Nuys G.,Stephaine. yelp.com. Yelp Inc. May 2016. Yelp. 27
October 2016.