Sundays in My City, The Japanese Tea Garden, 5-23-10
San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden has the distinction of being the oldest Japanese garden in the United States. It was originally built as the Japanese Village for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition. Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese immigrant, was officially appointed caretaker in 1894 and remained so until 1925. He continued to live at and maintain the gardens until forced into an internment camp in 1942 with other Japanese Americans.
The introduction of fortune cookies to the United States was made in conjunction with this garden. There is a tea house on the premises serving green teas and other beverages and a selection of Japanese confections.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, admission is free, if you arrive by 9AM.
Recently, Joanne Olivieri ( Poetic Shutterbug, author of "Nameless Faces," a new book of poetry ) and I took advantage of the free admission on a Friday morning and had a wonderful visit, armed with our cameras.
Pagodas at the Japanese Tea Garden
Willow reflection in pond
The Taiko-Baishi Drum Bridge from the 1894 Exposition
The teahouse
Meija era (1868–1912) large bronze lantern
Japanese maple
In 1949, the S & G Gump Company of San Francisco, gave a large bronze Buddha to the
garden. It was originally cast at Tajima, Japan in 1790.
Sundays in my City, brought to you by Unknown Mami
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