Saratoga News
News
Tomlinson blossoms as Hakone gardener
By Shannon Burkey
Working on the vast gardens of Hakone for the past 32 years has been nothing short of a labor of love for Japanese garden specialist Jack Tomlinson.
On June 19, the consul general of Japan in San Francisco, Makoto Yamanaka, recognized Tomlinson for his years of hard work with a special certificate of commendation for "his contributions to developing cross-cultural relations between the United States and Japan through Hakone Gardens."
"Jack has dedicated his life to maintaining, managing and preserving the beautiful gardens we enjoy," Yamanaka said. "The very difficult task of maintaining these vast gardens over 30 years is a very commendable achievement."
Tomlinson's career at Hakone began in 1975 when the city of Saratoga, which owned the gardens at the time, hired him as a gardener.
Under the tutelage of Kyoto-trained Japanese garden specialist Tanso Ishihara, who was hired by the city to expand the garden's design, Tomlinson began to learn a great deal about the history and traditions of the Japanese gardens.
In 1980, Tomlinson was appointed Hakone's Japanese garden specialist, succeeding Ishihara, who died in an accident while visiting Japan.
Since Tomlinson took over, Hakone has doubled in size, adding a bamboo garden, the cultural exchange center and the tea garden.
And through all the changes and expansions, Tomlinson has maintained the true integrity and beauty of the classic Japanese garden.
"The Japanese people have always felt themselves a part of nature, and nowhere is this more in evidence than in Hakone Gardens. The Japanese garden, with its silent voice, speaks in every language and changes people," Tomlinson said. "It's a Zen experience that thousands of people a year enjoy without even realizing it."
Yamanaka, who presented the commendation to Tomlinson in front of dozens of family, friends and Hakone supporters, first met the gardener on a trip to the gardens three years ago.
"He was kind enough to take us on a tour, and I remember I was very much impressed by the beauty and authenticity of the garden," Yamanaka said, adding that he has wanted to present the commendation ever since.
Lon Saavedra, executive director of the Hakone Foundation, said he was delighted to see Tomlinson honored for work that has meant so much to him for so long.
"He knows the history of these gardens for the last third of the century," Saavedra said. "It's wonderful to see him recognized for that."
Today, Tomlinson not only manages the gardens at Hakone, but he has become an expert on Japanese gardens, holding lectures and seminars around the world on the history and characteristics that make them unique.
"I'm impressed with his knowledge of and affection for Japanese history and culture," said Dr. Masato Matsuo, chairman of the Hakone Gardens supporting committee. "Jack is Hakone, he's been Hakone from the beginning. Without him these gardens could have been chaos."
Mary Ann Burman has worked as a volunteer at Hakone for five years, helping to prune its many trees. She said it has been an honor to work with Tomlinson.
"His heart and soul are connected here," Burman said. "And his knowledge of Japanese gardens is a gift to all people."
The best part of it all, Tomlinson said, has been being able to bring a world experience for people in Saratoga to enjoy.
"I've never had such a wonderful thing happen to me before. Hakone is kind of like my baby; I've bonded with this garden," Tomlinson said. "This will no doubt inspire me to work hard for our goals at Hakone going forward."
