Top Japanese Gardener to Host Class 'Master the Art of Japanese Gardening'

On Saturday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., one of America's top Japanese gardeners, Mr. Shoji Kanaoka, will teach a hands-on demonstration class, "Master the Art of Japanese Gardening," at the Winter Park Welcome Center located at 151 West Lyman Avenue.
In 2008, Mr. Kanaoka and his colleague, Naoko Izuhara, worked with the city's Parks & Recreation Department to design and develop Tsuboniwa, the city's first authentic Japanese garden on the southern end of Central Park. Tsuboniwa is a Japanese term that means a small-scale garden, lending itself unusually well in enclosed spaces. Mr. Kanaoka diligently arranged the items of the garden to humanize, decorate and allow it to function practically in daily life. Balance and proportion was sought during creation, and the natural elements of wind, sounds, seasons and sunlight added to the meaning of the carefully arranged space.
Because of the success of Tsuboniwa and Mr. Kanaoka's love for the art of Japanese gardening he wanted to share his extensive training with others through this class. Mr. Kanaoka received his degree in landscape architecture in 1975 from South Kyushu University in Japan. To further pursue his passion, he moved to Kyoto, Japan, the world's center of Japanese gardening, and joined Japan's Teranishi Landscaping Company. After receiving training from the masters of Japan, he then moved to the United States.
This is where his start with Disney(R) began and flourished, serving as gardener foreman for the Japanese garden at Epcot's(R) World Showcase, arborist foreman for Disney's Horticulture, and now serves as arborist for Disney's ESPN(R) Wide World of Sports Complex. In addition, Mr. Kanaoka designed the 1.3-acre Shiojiri Niwa Park in Mishawaka, Ind., and in 1991, won the Landscape Award from the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association for the design and installation of his garden in Montverde, Fla.
To attend the "Master the Art of Japanese Gardening" class and learn the techniques from a skilled master, please make your reservations by calling 407-599-3397 no later than Wednesday, March 9. The class is free, however, space is limited. Arigatou gozaimasu (thank you very much).