Guide to the University Relations: The Japanese Garden Records, 1972-1985

Processed by Traci Liley; machine-readable finding aid created by James Ryan
Department of Archives and Special Collections, University Library
California State University, Dominguez Hills
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, California 90747
Phone: (310) 243-3895
Fax: (310) 516-4219
Email: kjhunt@csudh.edu
URL: http://archives.csudh.edu
© 1998
California State University, Dominguez Hills. All rights reserved.

Guide to the University Relations: The Japanese Garden Records, 1972-1985

Archives and Special Collections, University Library



Carson, California

Contact Information:

  • Department of Archives and Special Collections
  • University Library
  • California State University, Dominguez Hills
  • 1000 E. Victoria Street
  • Carson, California 90747
  • Phone: (310) 243-3895
  • Fax: (310) 516-4219
  • Email: kjhunt@csudh.edu
  • URL: http://archives.csudh.edu
Processed by:
Traci Liley
Date Completed:
Fall 1998
Encoded by:
James Ryan
© 1998 California State University, Dominguez Hills. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: University Relations: The Japanese Garden Records,
Date (inclusive): 1972-1985
Extent: 2 Boxes (3 linear feet)
Repository: Department of Archives and Special Collections.

University Library.

California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Carson, California 90747
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

All materials are open to the public unless specific restrictions are imposed.

Publication Rights

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], University Relations: The Japanese Garden, Courtesy of the Department of Archives and Special Collections. University Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills.

History

The forerunner of the modern Japanese garden appeared in Japan sometime in the latter half of the sixth century. At the time, Japan was assimilating many art forms and traditions that came from China through neighboring Korea. For example, in 522 A.D., Buddhism and Taoism were introduced and became major influences in the development of the garden. The focus of early gardens was a mound of earth which represented the center of the universe in the Buddhist world.
As time passed, the gardens grew larger and drew ideas from Tao teachings. By the late Heian period (794-1185), the concept of a balance between man and nature or house and garden had become popular. This idea of an intimate relationship led to gardens being built between the wings of noble households. These gardens had ponds large enough to support small man-made islands, waterfalls and boating activity.
From the Kamakura (1192-1333) through the Muromachi (1393-1573) periods, Zen Buddhism had the biggest influence on garden design. The kare-sansui or dry landscape garden using rocks and sand was refined. Trees and shrubs were utilized but water was not. Designs raked into the sand became a way of symbolic expression. Another Zen Buddhist contribution was the teahouse garden developed during the Momoyama era. (1573-1603) These are the narrow gardens that incorporate stone lanterns, water basins and stepping stones which is designed along a path leading to a teahouse.
The last type of garden to be developed was the stroll garden. Its name explains its use. The garden was built so one could walk leisurely along a path around a pond or lake and view the beautiful sights designed by the landscape artist. It was a garden designed for its beauty alone, not for religious reasons as the two previous types. This type of garden was developed during the Tokugawa period. (1603-1868)
The most important part of a Japanese garden is its naturalness. The landscape artist designs the garden by attempting to bring all the elements of nature he/she uses into harmony. The artist does not make a copy of nature but an idealized version of nature. Once the garden is built, it must be maintained ritualistically. The plants must be trimmed to perfection to maintain the balance of nature. The three most important materials used in a garden are trees, stones and water. Evergreen trees are chosen because of their color and long life. Stones also represent the timelessness of existence. Water is present, whether it is real or symbolic.
The Shin Wa En or Friendship Garden, located in the SBS building of California State University Dominguez Hills, was built over an eight month period in 1978. The idea was initialized by a few faculty members and people from the neighboring community. Volunteers from the Gardena Valley Gardener's Association, the Pacific Coast and Los Angeles Chapters of the California Landscape Contractors' Association and the Centinela Chapter of the California Association of Nurseymen lent their time and expertise to the project. The garden was designed by Haruo Yamashiro of Gardena.
The garden is crafted in the Zen style of beauty and simplicity. The balance of greenery, rocks and water makes the garden a tranquil respite on the campus grounds. The teahouse is constructed of cedar and redwood and makes a beautiful background for various campus and community events. Honor awards ceremonies and other special occasion events are often held here. The stage can also be used by performers such as musicians, dancers and speakers.
During the Spring Break in 1998, volunteers participating in Campus Clean-Up Day came together to clean, repair and paint the Friendship Garden. Some of the volunteers included members of ASIA@CSUDH, Friends of Asian-Pacific Studies, faculty and staff. In addition to the materials found in the archives, there is an archive web page that has a link to materials from the Japanese Garden.

Scope and Content

The Japanese Garden collection contains correspondence, committee materials, solicitation materials, publicity materials, brochures, photographs and artifacts. Much of the material was given to the archives by Dr. Don Hata. His contribution includes all committee papers, solicitation, publicity and most of the correspondence.
Correspondence in the collection dates from 1972 through 1985. It includes campus memos, letters to participants, thank you notes and follow-up letters. The joint campus committee papers include meeting agendas, minutes, lists of participants and work schedules. The solicitation material includes correspondence, lists of possible contributors and actual donation lists. The debts/expenses material contains correspondence, receipts and confirmation of payments made. Publicity materials include correspondence, photographs, press releases, and newspaper articles. The brochures and pamphlets include the garden dedication ceremony brochure and a informational pamphlet published by CSUDH in 1982. The photographs include a scrapbook of the building of the garden.

Secondary Sources

Engel, David H. Japanese Gardens for Today. Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1959.
Hayakawa, Masao. The Garden Art of Japan. Translated by Richard Gage. The Heibonsha Survey of Japanese Art New York: Weatherhill/Heibonsha, 1973.
Ito, Teiji. The Japanese Garden: An Approach to Nature. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1972.
Kuck, Lorraine. The World of the Japanese Garden, from Chinese Origins to Modern Landscape Art. New York: Walker/Weatherhill, 1968.
Mori, Osamu. Typical Japanese Gardens. Translated by Atsuo Tsuruoka. Tokyo: Shibata Publishing Co. Ltd., 1962.
Saito, Katsuo, Japanese Gardening Hints. Tokyo: Japan Publications, 1969.
Takakuwa, Gisei. Invitation to Japanese Gardens. English adaptation by Richard F. Dickinson and Nobunao Matsuyama. Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Co., 1970.
Tamura, Tsuyoshi. Art of the Landscape Garden in Japan. Tokyo: Kokusai Shuppan Insatsusha, 1935.

 

Series I: Photograph Scrapbook (1977-78)

Scope and Content Note

A photo history of the Japanese Garden Project. The scrapbook was put together by Nadine and Don Hata and presented to CSUDH in 1979. Negatives are included.
 

Series II: Guest Books (1978)

Scope and Content Note

Three guest books from the Garden Dedication Ceremony in November of 1978.
 

Series III: Artifacts (1978)

Scope and Content Note

Decorative bamboo objects from the garden.
 

Series IV: History (1978)

Scope and Content Note

A brief history of styles and meaning of Japanese gardens.
 

Series V: Correspondence (1972-1985)

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence includes material from the inception of the idea for the garden, material regarding the building of the garden, notes of appreciation to contributors and follow-up letters.
 

Series VI: Joint Campus Committee (1978)

Scope and Content Note

Includes list of participants, memos, agendas, and minutes from committee meetings.
 

Series VII: Solicitation (1977-78)

Scope and Content Note

These materials include correspondence, requests, list of possible contributors and actual donation lists.
 

Series VIII: Debts (1978)

Scope and Content Note

Includes correspondence, receipts and confirmation of payments made.
 

Series IX: Publicity (1977-78)

Scope and Content Note

These materials include correspondence, press releases, newspaper articles and a photograph used for publicity purposes.
 

Series X: Brochures and Pamphlets (1978-1982)

Scope and Content Note

Includes brochure from garden dedication ceremony and an information pamphlet published by CSUDH.

 

Series I: Photo Scrapbook

Box Box 1

Photographic history of the Japanese Garden Project 1977-8

 

Series II: Guest Books (3)

Box Box 1

Guest books from the Garden Dedication. 1978

 

Series III: Artifacts

Box Box 1

Traditional decorative bamboo artifacts. 1978

 

Series IV: History

Box Box 2, Folder 1

Brief history of a traditional Japanese garden. 1978

 

Series V: Correspondence

Box Box 2, Folder 2

Letters and memos regarding the building of the garden on the CSUDH campus. 1972

Folder 3

Letters and memos 1975

Folder 4

Letters and memos 1977

Folder 5

Letters and memos 1978

Folder 6

Project follow-up letters 1978-1984

Folder 7

Appreciation letters sent to contributors. 4/78

Folder 8

Appreciation letters sent to contributors. 5/78

Folder 9

Appreciation letters sent to contributors. 6/78

Folder 10

Appreciation letters sent to contributors. 7/78

Folder 11

Appreciation letters sent to contributors. 8/78

Folder 12

Appreciation letters sent to contributors. 9/78

Folder 13

Appreciation letters sent to contributors. 10/78

Folder 14

Velodrome landscaping letters. 1985

 

Series VI: Joint Campus Committee Materials

Box Box 2, Folder 15

Committee meeting agendas and minutes. 1978

Folder 16

Lists of Participants. 1977-8

 

Series VII: Solicitation Materials

Box Box 2, Folder 17

Requests: drafts of letters seeking donations. 1978

Folder 18

Correspondence: letters asking for donations. 1978

Folder 19

List of possible contributors. 1977-8

Folder 20

Actual donation/contributors lists. 1978

 

Series VIII: Debts (Expenses)

Box Box 2, Folder 21

Bay Central Lumber 1978

Folder 22

Hata Expenses for volunteers. 1978

Folder 23

Mayflower Nurseries 1978

Folder 24

Ralph Ota 1978

Folder 25

Yamada Company 1978

Folder 26

Haruo Yamashiro 1978

 

Series IX: Publicity

Box Box 2, Folder 27

Correspondence July-Oct 1978

Folder 28

Photograph 1978

Folder 29

Press Releases 1978

Folder 30

Newspaper Article/Gardena Valley Press 1977-78

Folder 31

Newspaper Article/Kashu Mainichi 3/22/78

Folder 32

Newspaper Article/Rafu Shimpo 3/22/78

Folder 33

Newspaper Article/Gardena Valley News 3/30/78

Folder 34

Newspaper Article/Long Beach Press Telegram 8/17/78-9/13/78

Folder 35

News CSUDH Public Affairs Dept. 1978

Folder 36

Dominguez News/CSUDH 9/25/78

 

Series X: Brochures and Pamphlets

Box Box 2, Folder 37

Brochure: Garden Dedication Ceremony 1978

Folder 37

Pamphlet: Facts about Japanese Garden 1982