The Society’s inaugural ‘Evening in a Japanese Garden’ event, held in the Japanese Garden of Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, is set to become an annual event given the rave reviews we have received.
Many attendees have told us that, from the moment they stepped through the gates and were handed a lantern, they felt as if they had been transported to Japan.
Whether strolling or picnicking in the garden guests were immersed in the sound of water flowing across stones, the breeze through the boughs of a willow, tiny tea lights scattered like fireflies and lanterns strung through the trees.
All this, combined with the sound of koto music drifting on the night air, made for a magical evening.
Special guests included Ms Chieko Masuda, Acting Consul-General of Japan, Mr Dale Arvidsson, Curator – Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, City Botanic Gardens and Sherwood Arboretum, Mr Ross McKinnon OAM, the former Curator of the Gardens and Mrs Susie McKinnon.
Ms Masuda spoke about the importance and strength of the Australia Japan relationship, Brisbane’s longstanding Sister City relationship with Kobe City and looking forward to a return to travel between Australia and Japan.
Mr Arvidsson shared the origin and history of the Japanese Garden as well as the current redevelopment of the Brisbane Bonsai House to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Brisbane Kobe Sister City relationship in 2020.
Thank you to Mr David Shield (pictured above) for his wonderful koto performance and to the staff responsible for the Japanese Garden. It looked so beautiful on the night.
For all those missing regular travel to Japan, together with those experiencing the magic of Japan for the first time, the evening provided a welcome taste of things to come when we can all travel again.
This event was hosted by the AJS-Queensland and the Kobe International Club (Brisbane Branch).