Anderson Japanese Gardens History

Anderson Japanese Gardens

What is Anderson Japanese Gardens?

Anderson Japanese Gardens consists of two very different gardens. The first is a formal Japanese garden in the style of the Kamakura period, 1185 to 1333 A.D. The Guest House, Teahouse, and machiai are 16th century Sukiya style architecture. The Garden of Reflection is a contemporary international garden with a strong Japanese influence. The gardens are designed to allow our guests to reflect upon the tranquil beauty of nature, to leave the stresses of everyday life, to commune with nature and thus with one's self. The three essential elements of a Japanese garden are: water for its soothing and reflective qualities; rock for its sense of permanence; and plants for their textures and shades of green.

Inspiration

The inspiration for Anderson Japanese Gardens started in 1966 during John Anderson’s first trip to Japan. There he met a family friend, Mr. Akira Ohno, President of Morinaga Milk Industries of Tokyo, who gave him an in-depth look at the Japanese people and their culture. When the land was acquired for a new home site, John and Linda Anderson realized that the property had the potential to be an excellent setting for a Japanese garden. With the Andersons’ strong interest in Japanese culture, they decided to start development of a Japanese-style garden.

Designer and Builder

Construction of Anderson Japanese Gardens began in 1978. The gardens have been designed and built by Hoichi Kurisu. Mr. Kurisu came to the United States in 1968 accepting the position of Director of Landscaping at the Japanese garden complex in Washington Park Gardens, in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Tokyo’s Waseda University and spent several years studying under Mr. Kenzo Ogata, one of Japan’s most renowned landscape designers. Mr. Kurisu has his own landscape design and construction firm in Portland, Oregon and Florida.

Not-For-Profit Charity

Anderson Japanese Gardens is an independent not-for-profit corporation, governed by an outside board of directors. It was donated on June 1, 1998 by Linda & John Anderson to a newly formed 501 (c) (3) tax exempt not-for-profit organization. The gardens is qualified as a public charity as a supporting organization of the Rockford Rotary Charitable Association.

The gardens include the following scenic features:

Snow Viewing Lantern, Granite Pagoda, East Waterfall (Otaki), Viewing House, Zig Zag Bridge, Fishing Deck, Pond (Ike), North Garden Gate, Turtle Island, Crane Island, Stone Lanterns, Coin Water Basin, Inner Garden, Guest House, Deer Chase (Shishi Odoshi), Canyon Creek, Tea House, Gazebo, West Waterfall, Reflection Deck, Milles Angel Sculptures, Event Tent, South Garden Gate, Wood & Stone Bridges. Anderson Gardens is not a park. It is used often for photograph sessions on wedding days and family gatherings.

Anderson Gardens Chronology

1978 - Hoichi Kurisu begins plans for the Gardens.
1979 - Construction on Anderson Gardens begins!
1981 - East Waterfall (Otaki) built.
1983 - Guided tours begin.
1985 - Master Masahiro Hamada and Karua Takahashi arrive to build the Guest House.
1986 - Guest House garden completed.
1987 - West Waterfall construction begins.
1991 - Anderson Center (Ramer house) purchased. Re-modeling begins for use as an event.
1992 - Anderson Center open for programs.
1994 - Linderoth property acquired (fall) (B40)
          - Open all Saturdays May - October
1995 - Tours begin at Anderson Center instead of prairie
          - First Japan Day
1997 - Maintenance shop converted to Blue Iris Visitors Center. New maintenance shop
             constructed on south side of creek.
1998 - June 1 became public, non-profit organization.
1999 - Construction begins on Garden of Reflection.
          - Entrance/Exit at the intersection of Springcreek Road and Parkview Avenue constucted.
2000 - Property at the corner of Springcreek Road and Highway 251 purchased for additional
             parking space.
2001 - Garden of Reflection opens to public as part of regular tour.
2004 - Visitor Center is opened at former administration building south of the Garden of Reflection.
             Tours now begin at this site.
          - West parking lot is completed
          - Maintenance shop moves and expands
2005 - Main gate into traditional garden constructed by Masahiro Hamada.
          - Mr. Kurisu landscapes the area around the gate.
          - Construction of new Visitor Center begins.
2006 - Landscaping around the Visitor Center begins.
2007 - Visitor Center is open for guests visiting the garden and for gift shop sales.
2008 - The Restaurant at Anderson Gardens opens at the Visitor Center.