In today’s ultra-convenient society, Japanese gardens, which sometimes are fostered over a period of several centuries, must seem quite inefficient. We believe, however, that it is precisely in our present age that garden fostering techniques may hold the value we need to help shape a better society.

When raising a Japanese garden, actual garden creation consists of 40%, whereas garden fostering is 60%. Garden creation requires a large amount of human and financial capital, which makes a garden’ s construction all the more joyous an occasion. What is important, however, is the fostering of the garden that comes later. This means not just pruning branches, but ceaselessly realizing the garden’s potential as an expression of space. It means sensitively grasping the property owner’s ideas and the garden’s distinctive character as well as accepting and understanding the natural landscape. To do so, we must not only tend the garden directly, but communicate its appeal in easy-to-understand terms and thereby nurture a spirit of cherishing gardens. It is through this nurturing act that Japanese gardens provide us with enrichment and peace of mind that all people can share in.

About 1,200 years ago, the “Sakuteiki” (Records of Garden Making) taught us that man-made gardens never exceed the beauty of nature. This means human technique is never superior to nature’s design, and we must thus honor nature and learn from it. As we approach our daily work of nurturing gardens in Kyoto, Japan and throughout the world, we keep in our hearts this message from our forebears.

Ueyakato Landscape Co., Ltd. President Tomoki Kato
 

Professor at Kyoto University of the Arts, Graduate School (PhD). Born 1966. Entered his family's landscaping business after graduating from Chiba University’s Faculty of Horticulture.
Tomoki Kato continues to train himself daily in pursuit of an organization of tasteful and professional landscape craftsmen who carry on Japanese garden culture while also creating tradition through their superior skills, sensitivity, and aesthetic taste.
At Kyoto University of the Arts, he is currently engaged in garden research that is grounded in practical learning. He gives frequent lectures both in Japan and abroad, including the 2014 and 2018 keynote speeches at the international conference of the North American Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA).--> Professor of Japanese Garden Studies at Kyoto University of the Arts (PhD). Born 1966, in Kyoto. Entered his family’s landscaping business after graduating from Chiba University’s Faculty of Horticulture.
Tomoki Kato continues to train himself daily in pursuit of an organization of professional landscape craftsmen who carry on Japanese garden culture while also creating tradition through their superior skills and aesthetic sensitivity.
At Kyoto University of the Arts, he currently advises garden research that is grounded in practical learning. He gives frequent lectures both in Japan and abroad, including the 2014 and 2018 keynote speeches at the international conference of the North American Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA).

Main awards
Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture Award (Research Thesis Category) | May 2013
2018 ICOMOS Japan Award | December 2018
Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture Award (Technical Skill Category) | May 2019
Japanese Institute of Landscape Architecture Award (Business Management Category) | May 2021

Main affiliations
Japan Institute of Landscape Architecture (Board Member), Academic Society of Japanese Gardens (Board Member), Japanese Society for Cultural Heritage, Japan Society for the History of Industrial Technology, Japan Association for the Principle of Employee First Management

Special Interview
-> Dr. Kendall Brown (North America Japanese Garden Association (NAJGA) Board President)x Tomoki Kato "The 21st Century's Classic Landscape is a Japanese Garden" (January, 2015)
-> Stephen D. Bloom (CEO of the Portland Japanese Garden) x Tomoki Kato x Yamaguchi "Engagement That Creates a Harmonious Relationship Between People and Garden" (October, 2015)