Americans Honored for Tsunami Relief by Grateful Japanese Community

March 5, 2012 - PRLog -- San Jose, California; March 5, 2012 – The dedication of a Japanese Rock Garden (often referred to as "Zen Garden") constructed at the Strawberry Park Shopping Center will take place next week on Sunday, March 11th from 2:30pm to 3:00pm, on the day of the first anniversary of the Great Tohoku Earthquake of 2011.  A moment of silence will be observed at 2:46pm when the earthquake hit Japan.  Local government officials, celebrities, Japanese business owners, dignitaries and neighbors are expected at the event. Festivities will also include traditional martial art demonstrations and various music & cultural exhibitions.

The Japanese Rock Garden, "Tranquility Garden" to be officially named, has been built as a monument indicating their appreciation for the assistance the Americans provided for the victims of the earthquake.  The local Japanese community came together to design, finance, and build the Garden.

"We wanted to thank the American people for their generosity and care," says Mr. Akihiro Omi, Chairman of the Board for the Japanese Art & Cultural Center.  "The Rock Garden is a small monument, but it encapsulates the support and goodwill offered by the American people, as well as the friendship between the two neighbors across the Pacific."

Japanese rock gardens are constructed with dry landscape; no plants, trees or water is used.  The gardens are symbolic representations of natural landscapes using rock arrangements, and are regarded as works of art.  The gardens and surrounding space at Strawberry Park will provide visitors with serenity, tranquility and peace of mind.  Although such gardens are often found in Japanese Zen temples, they are considered artistic creations without any particular religious significance. Images and interviews available upon request.

“So many Japanese people donated money for this project.  They all want to express their gratitude to the Americans who were so generous," added Mr. Omi.  "Most of the donors are Japanese citizens living in the Bay Area, however, some of the money came from Japan."

"The Japanese Rock Garden is a great idea," says Mrs. Chieko Nishino whose husband is a visiting Stanford researcher from Japan.  "The Garden will make a great gift for the American people which will bring enjoyment to all communities for years."


About the Strawberry Park Shopping Center:

The Strawberry Park Shopping Center, an Asian-themed mall, recently completed its extensive renovation project which houses shops and restaurants including Mitsuwa Japanese grocery, the Kinokuniya Japanese bookstore, Tomi Sushi, Kahoo Ramen, Shabuway, Clover Japanese bakery, and the Japanese Art & Cultural Center (JACC).  The mall is located at the corner of Moorpark Ave and Saratoga Ave just off I-280.


About the Japanese Art & Cultural Center (JACC):

The Japanese Art & Cultural Center (JACC), established in June 2010, is to foster, develop and promote the traditional Japanese arts and culture, within the scope of the greater Asian culture.  It provides venues to research, train and exchange knowledge and experience in Zen, without specific religious connotations, including all arts, sports and cultural activities derived from it, as an educational tool to enhance individual integrity, compassionate character, profound awareness and self-actualization, as practiced and developed by the ancient samurai not only as warriors but as public servants. For more information go to http://www.jpnarts.org or contact Akihiro Omi, Executive Director aki@jpnarts.org, (408)418-3535.

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