About Us
“For the betterment of the community through the advancement of Japanese arts and culture.”
History of the Toronto Japanese Garden Club
When the Toronto Japanese Garden Club launched in 1952, the majority of the Toronto public had never heard of “ikebana” or “bonsai.”
This group had a vision to continue traditional Japanese arts such as landscape gardening, bonsai, ikebana and other cultural pursuits. The depth of study and dedication in creating these works of beauty, helped boost the morale of Japanese Canadians in Toronto after their wartime incarceration in British Columbia. It was also an opportunity to share their rich cultural heritage with residents in the Greater Toronto Area.
The club unanimously voted Mamoru Nishi as their first president, confident he could successfully lead the club.
In 1956 to avoid confusion with the Garden Club of Toronto, the Toronto Garden Club became the Toronto Japanese Garden Club (TJGC). TJGC joined Garden Clubs of Ontario in 1959.
TJGC Presidents
Mamoru Nishi
1952 – 1993
Hanae Nishi
1993 – 1999
Toshi Oikawa
1999 – 2008
Arthur Ikeda
2008 – 2019
Irene Foulkes
2019 – present
New Members are always welcome.
Come and grow with us!
Our members form the foundation of the organization, and the organization exists to serve the needs and interests of our members. We invite all those with an interest in nature connected to Japanese culture who are seeking to learn more, and those with a depth of experience they want to share, to please consider becoming a member. All are welcome. No experience required.
Members of the Toronto Japanese Garden Club are interested in gardening, ikebana, bonsai, chrysanthemum, morning glories, plants, workshops and exhibitions with a focus on Japanese aesthetics and culture.
TJGC Activities
- Plant sales
- Seasonal events and exhibitions
- Work and learn about gardening with experienced gardeners at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and Momiji Health Care Society. Stewardship features instruction on the maintenance, care and planning of the Japanese gardens
- Lectures, workshops and demonstrations
- Plant and garden tool sales with guidance on their use and maintenance
TJGC Interests
- Japanese gardens and urban gardening
- Ornamental and edible plants
- Show chrysanthemums (kiku 菊花)
- Mutant morning glory (asagao 朝顔) cultivation
- Bonsai and suiseki (rocks appreciated for their aesthetic value)
- Ikebana
- Environmental and ecological issues, mycology
- Japanese culture and aesthetics