Japanese Garden Reopening Soon as Master Stonemason Set to Arrive

Workers placing a protective barrier around the Japanese Garden’s prized Yamasaki Pine, prior to removal of the old wall. (Photo by Jared Ridabock)

The Ishigaki Wall and Accessible Pathway project at the Seattle Japanese Garden is proceeding apace. Earlier this month, workers removed the old basalt wall at the north end of the Garden, taking care to protect valuable collection plants. When the Garden reopens to the public on July 28, the project will enter its next phase.

Master stonemason Suminori Awata will arrive from Japan to construct the new wall alongside a team of artisans from the United States. A 15th-generation practitioner of traditional Japanese stone masonry, Mr. Awata will bring centuries of expertise and knowledge to Seattle.

Mr. Awata is collaborating with Green Man Builders, a stone masonry company based in Arcata, California that has worked with him on several other projects in the U.S., including ishigaki walls at Kubota Garden and Portland Japanese Garden. Despite differences in language and culture, the craftspeople share a common understanding of their work.

As Amber Schlagenhauf, project manager for Green Man Builders, explains, “They speak rock, and they know that whatever they create together is going to be wonderful.” That shared language of craftsmanship, trust, and artistry will be on full display as the wall begins to take shape, stone by stone.

Workers dismantling the old basalt north wall. (Photo by Jared Ridabock)

Beyond Infrastructure

When complete, the project will create a safer and more accessible garden experience, including a continuous looped and ADA accessible pathway that allows more visitors to enjoy the Garden’s beauty and shoreline views. And while the wall will serve an important infrastructure purpose, it will also be a work of lasting beauty that connects cultures and represents a rare opportunity to witness an ancient craft that is seldom practiced outside Japan.

The wall will be built using carefully selected granite stones sourced from the greater Cascadia region. As the project progresses, visitors will have opportunities to learn about the traditional techniques used to shape and fit each stone, the placement of the wall’s “mirror stones,” and the remarkable engineering principles that have helped Japanese stone walls endure for centuries.

Among the most fascinating aspects of the project will be the opportunity to witness traditional stone splitting, a process that relies on patience, skill, and an intimate understanding of the material itself. As Schlagenhauf explains, the stonemasons will use wedges, hammers, and chisels to carefully guide massive stones to split along their natural seams. She says that experienced craftspeople listen for a distinctive sound that signals the stone is ready. Then, almost suddenly, the rock opens exactly where intended, revealing the remarkable blend of artistry, intuition, and craftsmanship that defines this centuries-old tradition. “It’s a pretty magical experience to see and hear that,” enthuses Schlagenhauf.

Close-up of the old, crumbling basalt wall being removed. (Photo by Jared Ridabock)

Protecting the Past, Building for the Future

The project team is also taking exceptional care to protect the Garden’s treasured trees and plants. A key focus is the preservation of the venerable Yamasaki Pine, a century-old black pine donated by Seattle-born Nisei gardener Richard “Dick” Yamasaki. The tree and other important landscape features are being monitored throughout construction, with protective barriers and weekly assessments helping ensure their long-term health. This intentional stewardship will allow the pine to remain part of the renewed shoreline, physically and symbolically linking the Garden’s past to its future.

Follow Our Storytelling

In anticipation of Mr. Awata’s arrival and the exciting next phase of the project, our team has been eagerly learning about the fascinating stories behind the wall’s construction. We know this will be an extraordinary process to watch unfold.

Over the months ahead, we will join the Seattle Japanese Garden in sharing behind-the-scenes photographs, videos, and educational opportunities that explore the people, craftsmanship, culture, and stewardship behind this project. What may appear to be a construction site today is, in fact, a once-in-a-generation story of artistry, engineering, cultural exchange, and landscape preservation unfolding stone by stone.

Join us as we follow the Ishigaki Wall story here and on our social media channels: @seattlearboretum and @seajpnsgarden. The project is being managed by our partners at Seattle Parks and Recreation and is made possible by the generosity of many friends and supporters of the Seattle Japanese Garden.

Sarah Hilbert is the Communications Director at Seattle Botanic Gardens.