Exploring the Diverse Range of Japanese Cultural Traditions
For nearly 20 years, Portland Japanese Garden has hosted art exhibitions that harmonize with its landscape. These shows of traditional and contemporary works allow for a deeper understanding of the ways art is inspired by life and how life is inspired by art. The organization is honored to share the rich cultural traditions of Japan within our grounds, a vibrant and beautiful scene that is art in itself.
In 2025, the Garden’s exhibitions highlight a diverse range of Japanese cultural traditions and artforms, including a selection of ceramics from Japan’s famous Bizen region as well as the art inherent in Japanese gardens themselves. These exhibitions aim to share the ideas and aesthetics integral to the fabric of life in Japan. Here, we share a preview of what to expect in the upcoming year.
Now Open | Kintsugi: The Restorative Art of Naoko Fukumaru
Kintsugi is an ancient method of mending damaged ceramics using urushi (natural lacquer) dusted with powdered gold. The exhibition, continuing from 2024, explores universally resonant themes of healing through the work of kintsugi artist and master conservator Naoko Fukumaru. Kintsugi: The Restorative Art of Naoko Fukumaru will close in the Pavilion Gallery on January 27, but a selection of Fukumaru’s more experimental pieces will remain on view in the Calvin and Mayho Tanabe Gallery through early March. Purchase tickets today to see this remarkable exhibition:
Earthen Elegance: The Ceramic Art of Bizen
February 8, 2025 – June 9, 2025
Famous for its rich earthen hues and natural, unglazed finish, Bizen ceramics have been created in Okayama, Japan since the 12th century. Treasured by tea ceremony masters, Bizen pottery represents centuries of tradition with contemporary artists building on those methods to create modern masterpieces in clay. Courtesy of the collection of David Sneider and Naomi Pollock, the exhibition will feature works by contemporary master artisans of the Bizen region, including pieces by Living National Treasures Ryuichi Karuezaki and Jun Isezaki, among other accomplished artists.
The Art of Katazome
March 29, 2025 – September 15, 2025
Primarily used for elaborate patterns on kimono and yukata, katazome is a method of using exquisitely cut paper stencils and resist paste to dye fabrics. Today, katazome-created designs can be stand-alone art pieces, or are often found on noren curtains, futon covers, and furoshiki gift wraps. Local Oregon artist, Karen Miller, has practiced katazome for the past 30 years, infusing her designs with inspiration from the natural world and drawing from her background as a marine biologist. The Calvin and Mayho Tanabe Gallery will host Miller’s extraordinary art, which fuses traditional Japanese dyeing with our local landscape.
The Art of the Garden
September 27, 2025 – January 26, 2026
In our final art exhibition of 2025, we invite you to embark on an enchanting journey like never before—into the art of the Garden itself. For the first time, we’ll pull back the curtain to reveal the artistry, ingenuity, and timeless traditions that shape Portland Japanese Garden, while celebrating the legacy of Japan’s most iconic gardens. This immersive exhibition, co-led by Garden Curator Hugo Torii will be a celebration of nature’s canvas, where design, culture, and creativity meet to craft living masterpieces. From serene Zen gardens to lush seasonal landscapes, we’ll uncover the vision and expertise that animate this centuries-old art form, proving its wisdom and beauty remain as relevant today as ever.