Kyle Porter, Nisa Miranda Spring Intern     

     Hidden under the illuminating shadows of Japanese maples in Monte Sano State Park, the peace and serenity of Japanese culture blossomed like the colorful azaleas native to the area. In 1988, the North Alabama Japanese Garden was established in an undeveloped area of the park by Master Gardener and landscape designer, Mr. Robert Black. However, the gardens were not commissioned by the state or Monte Sano State Park themselves–the story of the gardens is as authentic as the serenity it brings towards the community. In the mid-1980’s, Mr. Black was approached by his daughter, who had just read the book “Secret Garden”, authored by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Her youthful insight and passion for Burnett's fictional yet magical gardens brought about the idea of having their own secret garden. Mr. Black’s daughter spoke to the Monte Sano Park Ranger with the same jubilance as she had with her father, and the concept of the Japanese Gardens came to fruition. Mr. Black had always had an appreciation for Japanese culture, especially the detail and serenity it brought to his life. He loved the beauty of bonsai trees, and had a growing passion for Japanese culture and tradition. When the opportunity came to build a Japanese garden in the state park, Mr. Black forwarded his passions and began to construct the beautiful Japanese garden that sits in the shadows of Monte Sano State Park today. 

     Through years of detailed construction, cultural research, and assistance from friends and the community, the North Alabama Japanese Garden began to welcome guests and serve as a statute of peace and tranquility. Mr. Black committed years of his life towards the fruition of this garden as a simple way to further his love and passion for Japanese culture, and provide a place where anyone can enjoy its quiet atmosphere and beautiful Japanese aesthetic. With no payment, commission, or monetary reimbursement for his works, Mr. Black highlighted his appreciation for such an opportunity, and commitment towards the surrounding community. Mr. Black also attributed the success of the garden towards the friends and peers that have supported him and the developing garden along the way, especially Mr. Kozo Matsuda. 

     Today, the North Alabama Japanese Garden continues to serve the surrounding community as a place of quiet serenity and cultural exchange! The gardens themself highlight the nature of Japanese culture through authentic structures such as a traditional tea house, tori gate, and bridges that lead over flowing streams and through bamboo forests. One of the most symbolic elements is the Zen rock garden (枯山水). Using various stones, it represents the flow of water and even clouds seen from above. However, these patterns are easily disturbed by wind or by people walking nearby. In Japan, this is seen as a reflection of the human mind—rather than resisting change or disturbance, one simply restores the pattern at the end of the day. It teaches us that no matter what happens, we can return to a place of balance and calm. This spirit of renewal and quiet resilience lives within the garden, and the garden reflects traditional Japanese values through its deep respect for nature and its effort to preserve authenticity. 

     On a daily basis, the gardens serve as a peaceful setting for visitors from all over the state to visit and enjoy the natural beauty that's brought about. The garden also hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year, with the Japanese Spring Festival being one of the largest events, held on Sunday, May 3rd. The festival features a wide range of cultural performances, including traditional Japanese dance, live music, kendo demonstrations, and ninja performances. Visitors can also enjoy a cherry tree planting ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, as well as an authentic tea ceremony. In addition, the festival welcomes Japanese antique vendors, cultural activities such as kendama, origami, and calligraphy, and opportunities to explore and experience Japanese traditions firsthand. 

     In a life full of busy schedules and daily work, the North Alabama Japanese Garden brings a unique and valuable commodity to Monte Sano State Park and the surrounding community–peace and serenity. With its highlights of Japanese natural beauty, and its detailed appreciation for Japanese culture and tradition, the North Alabama Japanese Garden serves as a statute of cultural appreciation and a simple place where people can enjoy the serenity of their own secret garden, just like Mr. Black did all those years ago. 

Thank you to Mr. Robert Black and Ms. Sumi Sanders for their valuable time, insight, and support towards the writing of this article. 

2026 Cherry Blossom Festival  - Event Report

2026 Festival Photos (Katie Phillips)

Kyle Porter, Nisa Miranda Spring Intern

Under the blooming cherry blossoms hidden within the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Japanese culture was alive and present in Alabama on March 21st. Our 19th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival welcomed nearly 6,500 guests from all around the state and beyond to enjoy their own piece of Japanese tradition and serenity. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is home to the historical Japanese Gardens – established in 1967, these gardens have served to highlight the natural and cultural beauty that Japan brings to Birmingham and the surrounding community. Each year, JASA welcomes local communities to enjoy a day full of cultural significance, beautiful dances, and lifelong memories! This year, JASA welcomed over 30 vendors, performers, and organizations to promote their activities, get creative with their community, and share their passions. With booths spread across the entirety of the Japanese Gardens, guests were able to explore their interests while enjoying the soft beauty of the gardens itself.

The festival began at 10:15 AM with the opening ceremonies, facilitated by JASA’s Assistant Director Gwenafaye McCormick, and included kind comments by Kennichi Matsuda, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta; Sonja Smith, City Councilor and Chair of the Arts and Culture Committee; Julia Adams, Head Horticulturalist of the Japanese Gardens; and JASA Board President Carolyn Turner. To kick off the day, Daikin’s drum team, Taiko Force, gave a rousing performance, followed by the UAB students’ Soran Bushi dance performance. As the sun began to shine through the pink and white blossoms, the Birmingham Kendo club took to the performance stage for a striking yet elegant demonstration. 

The performance schedule included a lunch break, which allowed guests time to visit various booths, enjoy the implicit peace of the gardens, and relax under the shade of one of the Gardens’ many trees - perhaps with a tasty lunch! Vendors including Panda Pan Bakery, On The Run Concessions, Cafe Baboy, and Nori Thai & Sushi had a variety of choices for a quick snack or a hot meal. For a more traditional “snack,” guests could participate in the very popular tea ceremony demonstrations at the historic Toshinan Tea House, showcasing the elegance and grace of Japanese traditional tea ceremony - and the deliciously complex flavors of matcha and Japanese tri-colored dango rice dumplings.  JASA’s variety of Japanese cultural activities were particularly popular during the break, with our calligraphy, origami, and kendama booths bustling with creativity and play. JASA’s own booth welcomed more guests to the gardens and shared Japanese culture further with Hinmatsuri doll displays and two beautiful Ikebana arrangements by Miki Jinno.

After the lunch break, guests were welcomed back to the performance stage through the soft sounds of traditional Japanese music, skillfully performed by Geni Skendo. As he concluded his flute performance, guests welcomed Reiko Otomo for her Buyo traditional dance performance, floating across the stage trailing wisteria in her wake. At 2:20 PM, Choko Aiken filled the air with music once again through a piano performance of modern and traditional Japanese music. The Skinkendo Club of Birmingham followed behind with sharp blades and a breathtaking demonstration of their own art form. Finally, the day’s performances ended with an adorable summer dance by the Briarwood Japanese Children’s Club, who pretended to be fireflies and raccoons frolicking in the moonlight! 

The festival concluded at 4:00 PM as guests captured their last photos of the colorful blossoms, and the gardens returned to a quiet state as the sun began to set. 

JASA is honored to have the opportunity to host the annual Cherry Blossom Festival again this year, and to support Japanese presence throughout the state. With increased popularity of the Festival, costs of putting on the event have increased 350% in the last 2 years. Our kind Sakura sponsors - Honda, Page & Jones, Quanta, Topre America Corporation, Madison Metal Processing, and the University of West Alabama - as well as personal donations made a significant impact on the possibility of this event. Similar to the delicate nature of the garden’s pink and white cherry blossoms, supporting Japanese presence through events like these can be challenging, but through community-based support, Japanese culture and communities within Alabama can continue to be supported, and the cherry blossoms can continue to bloom. 

We encourage you, if you are able or interested in being more involved in our mission, to make a one-time donation in support of our work or consider becoming a JASA member. 

Your involvement and support is what makes our work possible - thank you, to our current members, and those who have donated!

        

Written by Kyle Porter

Nisa Miranda Spring Intern

     

     The Japanese Gardens at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a unique cultural and thought-provoking space within the state of Alabama. Located on a 7.5 acre area at the southern end of the Botanical Gardens near Mountain Brook Village, the Gardens combine traditional Japanese landscape, architecture, and various cultural elements in a complementary design. Since its dedication in 1967 and major expansion in the early 1990s, the Gardens have become both a peaceful place for visitors and a symbol of cultural exchange between Birmingham and Japan.

     The idea for the Japanese Gardens began in the mid-1960s with Jack Parsons, who wanted to create a thoughtful memorial for his wife, Katie Parsons. Katie was a Japanese immigrant who had hoped to establish a public Japanese-style bird garden where children in Alabama could enjoy nature and learn about Japanese culture. After she passed away in 1964, Parsons worked to turn her dream into a substantive reality. The Federated Garden Club of Alabama supported the preliminary project and established a “Japanese Garden Fund” to raise money. Community leaders and volunteers quickly joined the effort and Jimmy Morgan, chair of the Botanical Gardens Committee on the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, organized an advisory committee led by Mrs. Harvey Hooks. City horticulturist Carl Mattil helped prepare the site, and planning consultations were held with Kenji Shiozawa & Associates of California.

     In 1965, local architect Darcey Tatum partnered with Japanese-American architect Masaji “Buffy” Murai to ultimately design the Gardens. Their goal was to create a landscape inspired by traditional Japanese gardens while fitting the natural environment of Birmingham. Hundreds of tons of rock were transported from Oak Mountain, and soil from nearby Mountain Brook was used to shape hills, curved paths, and a central lake with a small island. These elements created a carefully designed landscape that appeared to capture the seasonal essence and beauty of Japanese culture and tradition.

     One of the most remarkable features of the Gardens were the tea house obtained from the 1965 New York World’s Fair. Senator John Sparkman helped secure the building as a gift from the Japanese Trade Association. Sent to retrieve it from New York, architect Fritz Woehle had the pegged-wooden structure disassembled and trucked to Birmingham, where it was carefully rebuilt using photographs from the World’s Fair for reference. This original tea house was named Toshinan, the same name the current tea house bears in the Gardens today.

     The Japanese Gardens officially opened on May 6, 1967, with a dedication ceremony attended by the Japanese Ambassador to the United States. The Gardens' opening was celebrated as part of the Birmingham Festival of Arts and marked an important moment of cultural connection between the local community and Japan. Visitors were drawn to the Gardens' distinctive features, including a red torii gate at the entrance, graceful bridges, and colorful koi swimming through its waters. The Gardens continued to develop in the following decades, growing as a cultural pillar throughout the surrounding community. In 1985, Birmingham’s sister city of Hitachi, Japan, donated a large Kasuga-style stone lantern to commemorate the sixtieth year of Emperor Shōwa’s (Hirohito’s) reign. The entrance to the Garden was redesigned in 1988, creating a more formal and welcoming entry point for curious visitors to the larger Botanical Gardens. 

     A major expansion occurred in the early 1990s when the original tea house eventually became structurally unstable, as it was not originally designed to last. Master Japanese carpenter Kazunori Tago worked with local volunteer Doug Moore to construct a new traditional tea house, also called Toshinan. Built using materials from Japan and traditional techniques, the tea house became a staple of the Gardens and earned it a designation as a Japanese Cultural Center by the Japanese government upon its completion in 1993.

     Today, the Japanese Gardens feature bamboo groves, cherry trees, koi ponds, and a traditional dry landscape garden. Cultural programs, community classes, and seasonal festivals continue to exemplify Japanese traditions and spirit with visitors. More than just a beautiful landscape, the Gardens stand as a lasting symbol of friendship, cultural exchange, and the vision of the community that brought it to life.

(photos courtesy of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens)

References

“Japanese Gardens.” Bhamwiki, https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Japanese_Gardens. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

“A Look at the History of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens through Postcards.” Vulcan Park & Museum, 28 July 2020, https://visitvulcan.com/articles/a-look-at-the-history-of-the-birmingham-botanical-gardens-through-postcards/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

“Birmingham Botanical Garden.” North American Japanese Garden Association, https://najga.org/birmingham-botanical-garden/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

“Japanese Garden.” Birmingham Botanical Gardens, https://bbgardens.org/gardens/japanese-garden/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

As we step into a new year, we take a moment to reflect on JASA’s achievements throughout 2025. This year was remarkable, marking a period of growth and renewed energy for our organization. We were pleased to welcome two new members to our team — Gwenafaye McCormick, Assistant Executive Director, and Reiko Nakazawa, Cultural Affairs Coordinator. Their talents and enthusiasm have already made an impact on our programs and our mission.

With their valuable contributions, along with the steadfast leadership of Past Board President Mark Jackson and Executive Director Mike Swinson, JASA has experienced an exceptional year of progress and success. Together with our board, members, and volunteers, we continue to strengthen the bonds between Alabama and Japan and look forward to even greater accomplishments in the year ahead.
From all of us at JASA, we hope you enjoyed a joyful holiday season and wish you a prosperous New Year.

JASA Committee Achievements and Updates

In 2025, under the guidance of our dedicated staff, board members, and committees, JASA has experienced tremendous success across Alabama. Our four committees—Culture, Education, Governmental Affairs, and Corporate—have continued to strengthen connections between Alabama and Japan.

We encourage all JASA Board Members to review the committee details on the JASA Website and support the groups that best align with your interest sectors.

Cultural Committee
Cultural engagement reached record levels, with nearly 10,000 participants at Cherry Blossom Festivals in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and the North Alabama Japanese Garden, and over 75,000 attendees at Japan-related events statewide. Monthly Kayoubikai and Friendship dinners remain sold-out events. Cultural Affairs Coordinator Ms. Reiko Nakazawa has expanded popular initiatives such as Japan in a Suitcase and Japanese language classes. The 62-piece Satsuma Pottery Collection, catalogued by Professor Chin at the University of North Alabama, has begun its statewide tour, highlighting Alabama’s cultural ties with Japan.

Education Committee
The Education Committee endorsed the Student Engagement Initiative led by Dr. Mark Davis and Dr. Teresa Wise, which includes JASA internships and the creation of a JASA Student Council. Enrollment of Japanese students at the University of North Alabama currently stands at over 60. And we have 2026 plans to support a Scholarship program to study abroad in Japan. These efforts continue to strengthen educational and cultural exchange across the state.

Governmental Affairs Committee
Under the leadership of Steve Pelham of Auburn University, the Governmental Affairs Committee successfully established the Alabama Japan Legislative Exchange Group, unanimously approved by both legislative chambers. This initiative led to the first Japan Day at the Alabama State House—now officially recognized on March 4—featuring exhibits from Japanese companies and strengthened ties among government and industry leaders.

Corporate Committee
The Corporate Committee hosted the JASA Virtual Speaker Series, featuring leaders from Alabama’s education and technology sectors, and organized recruitment events at the Trash Pandas Stadium in Huntsville. Despite progress, increasing JASA membership among Alabama-based Japanese companies remains a key focus for the coming year. As the State of Alabama Department of Commerce pursues more Foreign Direct Investment from Japan, and with the establishment of the Alabama Business Development Office representation in Japan, JASA stands ready to support the Alabama Economic Development initiatives with Japan. 

Economic Impact
Japan continues to play a vital role in Alabama’s economy as its largest trading partner. Japanese companies contribute significantly across the state—from Daikin and Honda in North and Central Alabama to High Purity Silicone in the south—collectively supporting thousands of jobs and injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into local communities.

JASA remains a crucial bridge between Alabama and Japan. We invite individuals and companies who are not yet members to join us in advancing this important partnership.

Say hello to our new JASA 2025 Fall interns, Ali and Kyle!

Ali and Kyle will be joining in supporting JASA's activities this fall academic semester. Read on to learn more about them both!

Ali is an Integrated Marketing Communications graduate student at the University of West Alabama and is excited to use her skills to further cultural knowledge between Japan and Alabama. Her interest in cultural exchange began at a young age when her mother, a first-generation immigrant from Poland, would tell her of her struggles of coming to the United States, not knowing its language or culture. She attributed her successful integration into American society to the high school that housed both Polish immigrants and American students, allowing them a space for cultural exchange and understanding. 

While working towards her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies at the University of North Alabama, Ali joined the Global Lions Organization on campus, which encourages domestic students to attend and volunteer at international campus events. She was also given the opportunity to be a Resident Advisor in the international student resident hall, where she hosted community programs and helped connect her residents to campus events, despite their language barrier. After graduation, Ali worked as a Resident Director at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for two years, leading a team of Resident Assistants to build community in the residence halls through community events and periodic check-ins. 

In the future, Ali hopes to work in a nonprofit or university setting, connecting communities no matter their cultural or language barriers. For now, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to expand her knowledge of Japan while contributing to JASA’s cross-cultural mission.

Kyle is an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama studying Public Health & Japanese and is honored to serve as an intern for the Japan-America Society of Alabama (JASA)! Throughout his life, Kyle has always had a passion for Japan and its beautiful culture, traditions, and language. Currently, Kyle is in his 3rd year of studying Japanese at the University of Alabama, and holds his personal and academic connections to the language very close.

Kyle is also involved in several other initiatives on his campus, including a Japanese language partner program in which he welcomes new exchange students and helps them acclimate to life in Alabama! Kyle believes that it's so important to foster and support the relationship between Japan and Alabama, and the values that relationship brings to the communities around our state and nation.

With experience working with various organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, and an implicit passion for Japan and its culture, Kyle looks forward to working with JASA this Fall, and to supporting the beautiful connection between Japan and Alabama!

We are so happy to have them both - please give them a very warm JASA welcome!

North Alabama Japanese Garden Vintage Doll Fund Raising

Mr. Mike and Mrs. Donna Williams donated the vintage Japanese doll collection that belonged to his mother, Satsu Harada Williams, for our Japanese Garden. We are so grateful for this donation, and we would like to use the sale for our garden maintenance and renovations. Please feel free to message us via Facebook if you are interested in the purchase from the link!

Japanese Geisha Maiko Doll --- $220

----------Description from Mr. Mike Williams----------

My parents met after World War II in Yokohama, Japan. My father's military service took him all over Southeast Asia. They were stationed in Okinawa where my mother began lessons on how to make dolls. She made a few of these dolls but the other were purchased as part of her collection. The wooden dolls belonged to my mother as a child, as I was told. We settled as a family in Louisiana at Fort Polk which was my father's last duty station in the US Army. The dolls were proudly displayed in our family home from my earliest memory. My Mother passed away from cancer in 2011. That was when I took possession of the collection. Before Donna and I got married, I needed to downsize my home. That was when I reached out to the Japanese Society of Alabama. Mike Swinson and I connected. We came up with a few ideas and the one I liked the most was to donate the collection to the society so that they could have them in an auction or as gifts to speakers. I love the idea, that others would enjoy them as much as my family has for all these years.

In the Spring of 2024, Alabama House Representatives Mike Shaw and Kerry Underwood sponsored House Resolution 143 that established the Japan Alabama House Legislative Exchange Group with a purpose “to pursue friendship and cooperation between the members of the House of Representatives and the people, government, and businesses of Japan.”

This resolution proved to be the foundation that made March 4, 2025 one of the most noteworthy days for JASA and Alabama-Japan relations.  On this day at the Alabama Capitol complex, House Representatives Shaw and Underwood were joined by Representative Joe Lovvorn who sponsored House Resolution 80 which honors “the long-lasting friendship between the State of Alabama, this body, and the nation of Japan.” Additionally, Alabama Senator Arthur Orr sponsored a Senate Resolution with the same honor. At the opening of the session, Consul General Mio Maeda and Honorary Consul General were recognized by the House body.

After the session ended, Japan Day was held in the Alabama House Building where about a dozen Japanese companies exhibited to about 2/3 of the legislative body their company’s products, and economic and cultural contributions to the State of Alabama. Japan Day was a successful coordination between the office of the Japan Consul General for Southeast U.S.; Sandy Riordan, consultant to the Consul General; and JASA Governmental Affairs Committee chair Steve Pelham.

The day concluded with a dinner hosted by the Consuls General, attended by several key legislators and JASA staff, marking March 4, 2025, as a pivotal day for Alabama-Japan relations. Plans for Japan Day 2026 are already underway, promising even more opportunities for collaboration and engagement!

Here is the link to the video of Japan Day: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U0kPma7QdzQzKJdqKjy6o_pea5pv8yYP/view?usp=sharing

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/News/Display/Article/3910452/air-university-repatriates-wwii-era-japanese-flag/

"Like many World War II veterans, U.S. Army Cpl. Arthur G. Thompson, serving with the 117th Engineer Regiment, returned home with souvenirs from his time at war. Among them was a Japanese flag that he found after the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines.

As years passed, Thompson often expressed his desire to find the family of the Japanese solider who carried it into battle, but not knowing where to begin, it continued to be passed down for two generations, and has most recently been in the possession of his granddaughter Sarah and her husband, Col. Ryan Stebbins, the Eaker Center for Leadership Development Force Support Professional Development School director.

“Since I am the only service member in the family, the flag was given to us,” said Stebbins. “When we got stationed at Air University, Sarah decided to contact the historian to see what he could recommend with the flag. After considering many options, it became clear that we wanted to honor Cpl. Thompson’s wishes and try to repatriate it back to Japan.”

Although the decision to repatriate was fairly easy, locating the recipient proved to be a challenge. Mr. David Bonner, the Air University historian responsible for coordinating the repatriation, met with Japanese Col. Hirokazu Honda, an Air War College student, to translate the information on the flag. 

“I am very honored to join this project,” said Honda “Because for us, our military members, at that time we were enemies. He served for his country, same as us. It has special meaning, that flag, and it has a meaning of good luck, both in war and a wish to come home safely. The war was a hard time, but this flag coming back to his society, it will be a very happy day.”

The flag was identified as a “Good Luck Flag.” During the Pacific War, it was common for Japanese soldiers to carry a Yosegaki Hinomaru (Good Luck Flag) or a Senninbari (Thousand Stitch Band) when going into combat. The four kanji characters at the top of the flag are roughly translated as “May your fortunes be everlasting.”

Honda was able to quickly identify the soldier as Shinyo Huruyasiki, and noted that his home in Japan was easy to identify as his name is unique to a specific region in his homeland. Once identified, Bonner found a nonprofit that assists with the repatriation process.

“I will be sending the flag to The Obon Society,” said Bonner. “It’s a nonprofit organization that specializes in repatriating Japanese war memorabilia. They were recommended by both the National Infantry Museum and the Japanese Embassy.” 

Thompson’s family feels grateful that after nearly 80 years, the family of Shinyo Huruyasiki will once again possess an important and special piece of history."

The Japan America Society of Alabama (JASA) is seeking to fill the position of Assistant Director. The position may be full-time (30+ hours/week), part-time (10-20 hours week), or on a project basis depending on the applicant’s ability to meet the requirements of the JASA Assistant Director Job Description (included below).

Compensation will be determined by the needs of JASA and the applicant’s ability to meet the requirements of the job description but is expected to be in the $20.00-$25.00/hour range. Work will be conducted remotely from home and/or virtually, but there are significant in-person requirements. Applicants must reside in Alabama and be able to represent the JASA membership, most of whom are located in central and north Alabama. There are no benefits associated with this position. Start date is flexible but is expected to be around April 1, 2025.

Applications should include a resume’ and written explanation (no more than one page) of why the applicant is interested in and qualified for this position. Providing at least one letter of recommendation is encouraged. Applications should be sent to HR@JASAweb.org by February 15, 2025, 5:00pm.

See the JASA Assistant Director Job Description.

AL.com: Mazda considers shifting production to Alabama plant in response to proposed Trump tariffs

The auto industry is concerned about a proposed 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada. Mazda, which produces vehicles in Mexico, may shift some production to its joint plant with Toyota in Huntsville, Alabama, to avoid the tariff. This move could benefit Alabama, as Mazda looks to adapt to the potential cost increase from the tariffs.