On the 23rd May, hundreds of visitors enjoyed an ecstatic Japanese Matsuri-style garden party in Hammersmith Park’s newly restored Heiwa-en (Japanese Peace Garden), organised by The Japan Society to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the 1910 Japan-British exhibition. The grand weather allowed visitors to try delectable green tea and azuki ice cream, chilled fresh sushi, and dripping yakitori from the grill whilst witnessing various Japanese performances.

Article by Stephanie Marley

The Japan-British exhibition, which in 1910 aimed to promote a bridging between the two nations and built Heiwa-en, was certainly revered by the 2010 party performers and abundant crowd, who successfully exhibited a still-strong Anglo-Japanese relationship: British drummers performed gracefully alongside their Japanese cohorts during the Thames Taiko Group’s show, whilst many Japanese Enka singers professed permanent residence in the UK. Gentry guided the young in inking their own names in Katakana and fan-making, whilst adults tasted bitter green tea from a traditional Tea Ceremony demonstrated in the shade of Japanese acer trees. Stalls also revealed the wealth of stores in London currently available to the public, such as The Japan Centre based in Piccadilly on Regent’s Street, central London.

Although the garden party is now a yearly event, you need not wait to experience its wonderful setting as Heiwa-en is open to the public all year round. Restored and maintained by the Hammersmith and Fulham Council and The Japanese Garden Society*, the oldest Japanese garden in the UK now again resembles authentic design, and is child-friendly and botanically seasonal! You can reach the garden via the London Underground on the Hammersmith and City line for Shepherd’s Bush, or White City on the Central Line from which the park is only a six minute walk. Check it out!

Address:
Hammersmith Park,
South Africa Road,
White City,
London W12

*Japanese Gardens have never been so popular!  The exhibition 'Visions of Paradise - The Japanese Garden in the UK' is at The Embassy of Japan until 27th September.

There are many other Japanese Gardens dotted around the UK. The Japanese Garden Society helped restore Heiwa-en, and frequently work on, visit and discuss other Japanese Gardens in the UK. Members also get the chance to visit gardens in Japan – primarily in Kyoto – every eighteen months. If you are interested in exploring or supporting these gardens further, the society’s website is: www.jgs.org.uk.