Building the Garden

"American Gothic", Sato, Nagata families

The Kato Memorial garden was constructed by friends, family, and other volunteers, between 1982 and 1985.

Mai Kitazawa Arbegast was the landscape architect for the garden.

"Garden may be dedicated for civic leader George Kato", Argus, October 6, 1982 (read more)

"A 125-year-old Japanese garden, first established to commemorate trade between the United States and the Oriend, is awaiting rebirth as another kind of memorial.

Under a proposal advanced by friends and family of former Fremont businessman and civic leader George Kato, the garden at Shinn Historical Park would be renovated and expanded in recognition of Kato and the contribution of the Japanese community in Washington Township.

Adele Levine, spokeswoman for the memorial committee, said a group was formed to channel the energy of these people 'who cared about George Kato' into a worthwhile project, and after some discussion it was suggested that improving the Shinn park garden would be a fitting tribute.

About $4000 has been raised for this project, Ms. Levine said. Some of that money has been used to hire Mai Arbegast, on of the Bay Area's leading landscape architects of Japanese gardens.

Her plans make use of many existing ornamental plants, some of the dating back to the original garden planted in the late 1800s by the Shinn family. The garden also would include a high trellis for Japanese wisteria, which Ms. Levine said is part of the Kato family crest, and a tea house structure.

Already some of the plants have been donated by members of the community, Ms. Levine said. Other people have offered their time and labor in putting the garden together. ms. Levine siad the committee intends ultimately to set up a trust fund for the continuing maintenance of the garden.

"We have a long list of people willing to participate," Ms. Levine said. "It's really a community effort."

James and Lucy Shinn purchased their land along what is now Peralta Boulevard in 1856 and established one of the area's foremost nurseries.

According to Dr. Robert Fisher, president of the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation, Shinn sold mostly orchard products during the Gold Rush era and later developed some new species of fruit. Shinn also went into the ornamental-tree business, Fisher said, becoming one of the first businessmen in California to engage in trade with Japan.

The garden Shinn planted near his home was "partly to commemorate that fact and also to demonstrate various Japanese plants and imported trees that would be new to the United States and to California," Fisher said."

The Landscape Architect

Mai Kitazawa Arbegast designed the Kato Memorial garden in 1982.

Mai Arbegast was a well-known Bay Area landscape architect. She taught at UC Berkeley. Some of her projects include Hearst Castle garden restoration, Filoli Center Founding Committee, UC Davis Arboretum, Palace of Legion of Honor, Trefethen Vineyards, and more.

We think that Mai Arbegast was hired to design the garden because she knew Don Dillon (Fremont city councilman and owner of Four Winds Growers) from work at Filoli (to be confirmed). Don Dillon was instrumental in bringing the community together to save the landscape of Shinn Park in the 1970's, prior to the establishment of the Kato Memorial Garden.

The original Arbegast plans are not in her archives at UCB. The plans for the garden surfaced in a private collection and at the local history museum, as well as plans showing the garden's original state.

"The rocks roll in for new Japanese garden", Argus, May 22, 1983

The Azumaya

The azumaya is the garden-viewing building that overlooks the dry pond and stone lantern. According to George's sister, the azumaya was designed a Japanese landscaper. The plan was drawn up by Thomas Russell Potts and built by Mas Uemura.

Building the Azumaya

Mas Uemura and others worked on the azumaya floor around 1985. You can see the 'Flying dragon' citrus and possibly a 'Jean May' camellia which were specified on the garden plan.

The tall trellis serves three functions. It is holds two wisteria vines. It provides a shady sitting area for many people. And it protects visitors from falling fronds from the Chilean wine palm.


The THree Gates

Mai Arbegast specified three gates for the memorial garden.

According to George Kato's sister, Terry, the gates just appeared one day.

Tom Nagata, Don Dillon, Kazuo Hatsushi, Yoshie Nagata.

Taking a Break

Kazuo Hatsushi built the three gates.

So far, no plans have been found for the gates, so they may reflect Kazuo Hatsushi's personal style of gates. Mr. Hatsushi was a landscape contractor based in Pleasanton. Perhaps someone has a private garden installed by him.

After a third of a century, the gates have developed a weathered patina and are in need of a bit of care!

The Main Gate

The main gate is framed by two Chilean wine palms that were planted in 1879. The palms are some of the largest in the Caliornia.

The memorial gate

The south entrance gate passes by the memorial stone.

Three pointed cut-outs decorate the bottom of the gate.

The Low Gate

The gate next to the azumaya, is the shortest gate and was specified as a "Low" gate by Mai Arbegast.


Further References about the Design of the Kato Garden

The Kato garden is not in Ms. Arbegast online list of projects seen here:

Mai Arbegast designed two residential gardens in Fremont as well as the Kato Memorial Garden.