koi so happy they are snorting for joy — well, snorting for food, anyway!
During pond reconstruction last year, stones designed to be a boat landing were discovered. The original plans for the garden — made in the mid-1950s — were carried out in the renovation and now provide a koi feeding station at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden.
[The first part of this post announced the workshop. See the end of the post for more photos of the garden and workshop.]
The North American Japanese Garden Association will present a two-day regional workshop in Philadelphia, PA, Friday and Saturday September 20 and 21.
The first day will begin with a presentation on the history and significance of water in the Japanese garden setting by Seiko Goto, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Rutgers University. Professor Goto holds a Master in Horticulture from Chiba University Japan as well as a Master in Landscape Architecture from Harvard.
The rest of the day will be spent on designing and constructing water features for a Japanese style garden. Presenter is Jim Lampi, a design-build landscaper specializing in the creation of ponds, waterfalls and naturalist landscapes.
Topics to be covered include: design considerations plus influences and inspirations for design. Also covered will be construction methods; comparing concrete, liner, hybrid concrete with liner; filtration; drainage; rock edging and plant edging; rocks and boulders: selection, acquisition, and placement using machine or sling.
Friday evening will offer guided tours of Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, refreshments and a presentation by Dr. Frank Chance, director of the Center for East Asian Studies at University of Pennsylvania.
Saturday’s events concentrate on koi: their origins, variety, and selection plus discussions of water conditions and creating a healthy environment. Also covered will be koi anatomy, reproduction, health and how to recognize illness, methods of treatment, feeding and seasonal considerations.
Joseph S. Zuritsky, owner of Quality Koi at Carney’s Point, NJ, with 40 years experience and numerous awards, will lead a tour of Nisei Koi Farm and deliver presentations on the above topics.
To make reservations, contact NAJGA by e-mail to KYanagi@NAJGA.ORG or telephone (503) 222-1194. You may also click on the link below to print out a registration form for for information, fees, hotel registration and mailing information.
Click to access Philadelphia%20Workshop%20Information%20and%20Registration%20Form%20%281%29.pdf
If you wish to learn more about Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, visit their web site:
or find them on FaceBook.
A new hornbeam hedge separates the entry paths at Shofuso and guides visitors to the tour booth.
Francis Weng discusses pond biology and maintenance.
(photo by Bill F. Eger)
Jim Lampl discusses pond construction.
(photo by Bill Eger)
Tucked away in the bamboo just uphill from a koi feeding station at the pond
Dr. Seiko Goto discusses the history of water in Japanese gardens at the NAJGA regional conference in Philadelphia.
(photo by Bill Eger)
The class photo of garden folk who attended the NAJGA regional conference in Philadelphia.
(photo by Bill Eger)
U.S. Japanese Gardens 