Before my time in its proximity, the site where Descanso Gardens is today was once rumored for consideration as a possible location for the first Disneyland. I’m very grateful that the botanical garden often referred to as “Descanso” by locals opted instead for preservation of its natural lands. Over the years as it became what it is now this place became something more relatable to someone like me and the path towards now was guided by the motivations of individuals in terested and involved in its upkeep and growth. I only recently discovered that you could enjoy the seasonal bloom of Sakura blossoms here without traveling all the way to Japan, a great nearby escape for my family where we can experience something I had access to as a child and admire what is described as the fleeting beauty of nature.

The area around Descanso was first inhabited thousands of years ago by the Tongva, an indigenous people of California who lived symbiotically alongside the coast live oaks that hang over the walkways inside the property to this day. The first steps towards what Descanso is today were taken when an American publisher Manchester Boddy purchased over 150 acres of land in the late 1930s to establish a ranch and home for himself. His personal interest in horticulture led to the birth of the renowned Camellia collection, cultivated by local Japanese growers. When Boddy retired in the 1950s he sold his estate to Los Angeles County and the local community fought hard over the years to keep the lands untouched. This changing of the guard marked the transition of Descanso from private property to a botanical garden for everybody to enjoy.

Despite its lack of popularity over a number of years that threatened its existence, efforts towards preservation pre vailed with the establishment of the Descanso Gardens Guild comprised of local volunteers who guided the development of the public lands. There were significant contributions from the Japanese community within the area that eventually led to the opening of the Japanese Garden in 1966.

This attraction incorporated a patchwork of sites that evokes a sense of traditional Japanese elements in a somewhat forced yet refined manner that includes a stroll gar den, a pond and stream, teahouse, and small gravel garden (karesansui). My first visit to the Japanese garden was with my mother and her brothers during their trip to Los Angeles for my wedding. They commented that the layout of the Japanese area was very unnatural to have all these distinct elements in one place. When comparing each element to how they can be experienced in Japan I’m sure they are correct in their observation, however there is something oddly comforting about this disorder to an individual like myself where I am not quite one or the other. The important thing is everybody can experience a little footprint of Japan here thanks to the efforts of locals who had a part in creating this mishmash of irreplaceable sites. (Reprinted from Subsequence vol.7)

Richard Weston/International Marketing at visvim. Born in Kobe, Japan residing in Los Angeles, CA.