International

Gardening a world away
Students tell a story through Japanese gardening
By Jerri Imgarten, Red Rock, Okla.

Rocks, trees, fences … not something one may think about twice. But Oklahoma State University students learn these simple and natural elements play a symbolic role in traditional Japanese garden design.

On an annual study-abroad trip, OSU students travel to Japan to learn from professional gardeners and to study garden design.

Each summer, Kameoka, Japan, Stillwater's sister city, welcomes a group of OSU students to participate in a unique cultural learning experience.

Paul Hsu, associate professor of landscape architecture, developed The OSU-Japan Urban Landscape and Historic Garden Design Study Program in 2001. Through this study-abroad exchange program, OSU students work with professionals to learn about and help build a traditional Japanese garden.

"This 21-day study-abroad trip explores the garden design, urban spaces, natural resources, history and culture of Japan," Hsu said. "This program affords persons interested in garden design a unique opportunity to study Japanese landscapes without any prerequisite classes."

Hsu takes students to Japan each year, and each group adds design elements to the garden. In 2005, the group built a dry streambed and a bamboo fence. Other groups have planted trees, built water basins and dry streambeds, and arranged large stones.

"Students get hands-on design and gardening experience in Japan," said Hannah Thompson, landscape architecture senior. "Every OSU study-abroad group adds a piece to the garden."

Students also have the opportunity to work with professional Japanese gardeners.

"The study includes an on-site workshop with professional gardeners to experience first-hand the source of materials, techniques, and process of Japanese garden design and construction," Hsu said.

Professionals help students understand the history of Japanese gardens and the stories the garden elements tell.

"Japanese gardens are a very sophisticated trade in Japan, and even placing a group of stones or planting trees has certain techniques," Hsu said. "The professionals teach the students how things work and students benefit from the interaction."

Janell Milburn, landscape architecture senior, said she enjoyed learning about the time and dedication the professionals take to turn or place a stone in its natural setting and to make the garden tell a story.

"The history behind every garden tells a story, and when you enter a garden, you start at a level with a few elements," Milburn said. "As you move further into the garden, you climb up a path to get higher where you reach a temple or an overlook that gives you a greater appreciation of life."

Japanese gardens feature elements to symbolize something and to evoke different emotions.

"Garden design is symbolic of the Japanese culture, whereas here in America, gardens are used for aesthetic purposes," Thompson said.

Although visiting a new culture, some students may feel right at home in Kameoka. A replica of OSU's Old Central, which was formerly a part of an OSU campus in Japan, is located by the garden.

"Like OSU-Tulsa or OSU-Oklahoma City, OSU had a campus in Japan, but the campus was closed in the mid-'90s," Hsu said. "The building's exterior looks like the Old Central in Stillwater, but the interior is modernized."

Citizens in Kameoka are encouraged to visit and enjoy the garden created by OSU students.

"The garden is basically an exchange of friendship," Hsu said. "Every time we visit, we forge a relationship with local gardeners and professionals. Citizens who visit the center can see OSU has been building the garden, and it is a good reminder of a good relationship between OSU and the local community."

Building the garden, however, is only a small portion of what students experience on the trip.

"The course takes students to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other Japanese cities to visit historic gardens and contemporary urban landscapes and to explore the complex modern Japanese culture and its systems," Hsu said. "Students also spend one or two days with a host family to exchange cultural experiences."

Katy O'Meilia, landscape architecture senior, stayed with a host family whose daughter takes English classes at the university.

"It was a lot of fun to meet a family so different from mine," O'Meilia said. "No one in the family spoke English except a daughter, who was interested in learning more about English and American culture."

Students stay with different host families, and they come home with slightly different cultural experiences.

"I think the most important aspect of staying with a host family was seeing a completely different culture because everything is so different," Thompson said. "I gained respect for the Japanese culture, and through this study-abroad program, I became more open to traveling to other countries."

Yoshiyuki Minagawa, an architecture senior and native of Japan, said he fondly remembers his friends' reactions to the traditional Japanese breakfasts.

"The hotel typically provided some meals to us, but many did not like the food, so we made regular trips to Mister Donut," Minagawa said.

In addition to traveling to Japan, students also traveled a few days in Thailand to study landscape architecture and gardens. "Thailand is an extended trip used as a comparison to Japanese landscape design." Hsu said. "I want to extend the students' design knowledge and vocabulary. Thai design has a very tropical essence but compared to Japanese design you see strict styles and techniques. Thailand has free expression and uses an abundance of materials to enhance landscape design."

Hsu opens the course to anyone with an interest in studying abroad or learning about Japanese culture and garden design. He takes approximately 10 to 12 students to Japan each summer and said the trip typically costs a student $3,500 including airfare.

Hsu said his goal is to provide students with a larger variety of international experiences and expand their cultural knowledge.

"I chose to participate in the study-abroad trip because while growing up and living in Japan, I did not have the time or money to travel," Minagawa said. "This was a good opportunity for me to go back to my home country to see and understand the cultural differences between Japan and America."

The course helps students academically and personally become more diverse in cultural and design knowledge, Hsu said.

"Study abroad opens the students' eyes to a more diversified vocabulary because students are no longer limited to personal design ideas," Hsu said. "Outside of the design aspect, international experiences also help students become more open-minded and think about other people and cultures outside of their own."

Students who traveled to Japan in 2007 pictured in the garden. (Photo by Paul Hsu)

Students build stone paths and place mulch around plants and trees. (Photos by Paul Hsu)

Students congregate beside the replica of Old Central located near the garden in Kameoka. (Photo by Paul Hsu)

Students build a bamboo fence, review landscape designs and install plants. (Photos by
Paul Hsu)