History

The Gardens’ Designer

Hoichi Kurisu

Hoichi Kurisu studied landscape design and construction under Kenzo Ogata in Tokyo, Japan.  Kurisu was appointed Landscape Director for the Garden Society of Japan (Nihon Teien Kyokai 1968–1972), during which time he supervised construction of the Portland Japanese Garden.

In 1972 he founded Kurisu International, Inc., which has since designed and built a number of gardens including the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois, Roji-en Japanese Garden at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, the Japanese garden at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Iowa, and the Japanese garden for Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital, in Lebanon, Oregon, which was the winner of a 2006 Healthcare Environment Award for Landscape Design.

The Founder & History

Pictured from left: Ralph Anderson, John Anderson, Masahiro Takahashi and Masahiro Hamada (1985).

Construction of Anderson Japanese Gardens began in 1978, when Rockford businessman John Anderson was inspired by a visit to the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon.  With the ongoing assistance of renowned Master Craftsman and designer Hoichi Kurisu, the Andersons’ swampy backyard along Rockford’s Spring Creek was transformed into a Japanese-style landscape.  From groundbreaking to today, the placement of every rock, alignment of every tree, and layout of all paths have been made with careful consideration by Mr. Kurisu.  In 1998, John and Linda Anderson donated the Gardens as a supported organization to the Rockford Rotary Charitable Association.  It now exists as a not-for-profit entity and continues to grow and change to this day.

 

What Makes Japanese Garden Unique?

Three of the essential elements used to create a Japanese garden are stone, which form the structure of the landscape; water, representing life-giving force; and plants, which provide the color and changes throughout the seasons.  Secondary elements include pagodas, stone lanterns, water basins, arbors and bridges.  Japanese gardens are very carefully designed and patiently pruned according to aesthetic principals to create a work of natural art that inspires calm, renewal, discovery and an invigorated soul.  Though most Japanese garden materials are not unusual, the way that all these basic elements are brought together and the emotions that they provoke is what makes a Japanese garden unique.

Anderson Japanese Gardens is an authentic Japanese Garden maintained by the highest standards that touches the souls of our guests. With grace, elegance, and gentle awareness we exemplify the Japanese cultural heritage of respectful humility in service to people of all cultures.

Anderson Japanese Gardens is proud to be a member of the North American Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA).  Since 2011, NAJGA has been promoting the welfare of Japanese gardens and the people who love and care for them through education and advocacy.

 

The Gardens’ Timeline

Late 1970’s

1979: East Waterfall constructed in the Pond Strolling Garden

1980's

1980: Viewing House and Zig-Zag Bridge constructed in the Pond Strolling Garden

1983: Garden tours were available by appointment only. Visitors parked in front of the Anderson home and tours were led by Mrs. Anderson

1984-85: Guest House constructed

1988: Tours were available on a reservation basis at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM

1988-90: West Waterfall constructed

1990's

1991:  Tea House constructed

1991: Garden opened to walk-in visitors for the first time, but only on the first Monday of the month

1994: Public Garden hours were extended to the firsts two Mondays of the month

1997: Garden open to the public on a daily basis

2000's

2005-06: Visitor Center and Main Gate constructed

2008: Demolition of the Anderson home. The property was eventually donated to Anderson Japanese Gardens.

2010: Pavilion constructed

Tatami Restoration

Five craftsmen from Japan restored tatami in two of Anderson Japanese Gardens’ authentic 16th Century Sukiya style buildings. Tatami construction and repair is a highly-skilled and increasingly rare art form in Japan.  The restoration occurred over the Memorial Day Weekend (May 23 – 26), 2019, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to see this cultural craft.  Most modern day tatami are machine made in China.

Tatami are traditional Japanese flooring coverings that are made in standard-sized mats.  The core of the mat is constructed of rice straw held in place by a plain cloth covering.  The cloth mats are covered with a woven soft rush straw known as igusa.  The craftsmen will replace the igusa on tatami that are original to the Guest House (1985) and Tea Hut (1991).

The total cost of the restoration project was $35,000.  A lead gift was provided by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago Foundation (JCCC Foundation).  Air transportation between Tokyo and Chicago was donated by All Nippon Airlines (ANA) and the Japan Foundation’s Center for Global Partnership in New York City. The restoration project was completed thanks to outside support from foundations, corporations and individual donors.

South Gate Restoration

With the Garden entering its 43rd year, some of the original areas of the Garden need attention. The South Gate is the main transition into Pond Strolling Garden and was built in 1985. The original posts have rotted and require replacement, along with a new cedar roof, flagstone restoration at the entrance and stairs, and new bamboo fence near this unique wooden feature. 

Anderson Japanese Gardens has started the restoration of the South Gate. Guests will be interested to know that this is the original structure built.

Recently, David Sipos, a master woodworker originally from Hungary but now residing in southern California, visited Anderson Gardens to complete much of the restoration of the South Gate.