Consul-General Ito Attends Lecture on Japanese Gardens in Burlington

On July 9 in Burlington, a lecture entitled “Japanese Gardens: Visions and Practices of a Kyoto Gardener” was co-hosted by the City of Burlington, the Japan Foundation, Toronto, and the Consulate-General of Japan. Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito gave opening remarks. This presentation was a part of the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of sister-city relations between Burlington and Itabashi and the opening of the Itabashi Garden in Burlington. Hugo Torii, the Director of Ground Maintenance at the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon, gave an insightful explanation of origins of Japanese gardens and how to interpret them, drawing on his experiences as a gardener trained in Kyoto. Ms. Virginia Burt, who designed Itabashi Garden, also gave a presentation on her project from its start to finish. An audience of about 70 people listened attentively.