All Events

Bamboo Fence Workshop

Classes & Workshops

When
October 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where
Portland Japanese Garden
Event Audience
All Members
On Sale Dates
Golden Crane | September 2 | $270
Members | September 9 | $270
Tickets go on sale at 7am PST on the scheduled date.

Event Information

Photo by Jonathan Ley

Learn how to construct an important element of Japanese landscape architecture: bamboo fences!

This Japanese Garden Training Center workshop held at Portland Japanese Garden teaches participants to design and build a bamboo fence panel using traditional materials and techniques. This learning experience includes a tour of the Garden focusing on bamboo fences, lectures, demonstrations with hands-on tool practice, and knot-typing session. After the demonstrations, participants apply their new skills to build a Japanese bamboo fence under the guidance of staff gardeners.

Itinerary:

TimeProgram
8:30 am

Check-in.

9:00 am

Program begins.

4:00 pm

Program ends.

How to Sign up:

Tickets are limited and offered to members through our lottery system to provide equal opportunity access to Garden workshops. Lottery winners will be contacted to finalize a workshop ticket purchase.  

Event fees are $270. They are non-transferable and non-refundable. 

Registration Dates:

Registration opens to those in the Golden Crane Recognition Society on 9/2. The lottery opens to Members on 9/9 and closes on 9/16. We will contact lottery winners by 9/24. 

More details:

  • The workshop is limited to 16 participants.  
  • When entering your submission for the lottery, you will be asked to sign a waiver. 
  • Participants should bring their own lunch, a reusable drinking cup or water bottle, and sun protection such as a hat and/or sunscreen. 
  • Bending and kneeling are required. If you wish to participate and have any limitations or concerns, please contact us for information. 
  • The black twine used for tying knots (shuronawa) may stain your hands and clothes.   
  • Necessary tools, supplies, and printed educational material are provided. 
  • The course fee includes Garden admission. 
  • Event fees are non-refundable and seats are non-transferable. 
  • This event takes place rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather. 

Meet the Instructors:

Evan Cordes

Lead Gardener, Portland Japanese Garden 

Evan Cordes works alongside a dynamic team of gardeners in all horticultural and garden maintenance aspects of operations. Two areas of focus for Evan are the bonsai display and bamboo fence construction. Evan hopes to share the wonder of the natural world with visitors through the artistic and technical aspects of garden design and building. He studies bonsai with Michael Hagedorn and spends his spare time writing and playing music. He has a diverse background, previously working in the world of advertising and creative technology at Portland’s Wieden+Kennedy.

Colin Kaferle

Gardener, Portland Japanese Garden

A gardener at since 2022, Colin Kaferle is a coordinator for wood, bamboo and stonework projects. As a lifelong learner, Kaferle enjoys a holistic view that encourages one to approach all aspects of a garden environment, from design and planning to crafting something with your own hands. Whether building, planting or tying fence knots, you’ll find him striving to hone the crafts that make the Garden the inspiring setting that it is.