Appreciation for the Arts and Nature
Yuko and George Uyesugi pose inside the Japanese Heritage Shōya House. | Photo by Jamie Pham.
She beams with excitement when recounting her demonstration of chado (“the way of tea” in Japanese) in The Huntington’s ceremonial teahouse, Seifu-an (the Arbor of Pure Breeze). “I will never forget the sense of calm that my husband, George, and I felt upon seeing the magnificent Japanese Garden revealed before our eyes,” she says. This experience and a long friendship with Robert Hori, associate director of cultural programs for the Botanical Gardens, nourished an enduring relationship with The Huntington. Over the ensuing years, the Uyesugis have drawn inspiration from the gardens and have received counsel from Hori to help build their personal garden and tearooms in Malibu and Bel Air, where Yuko teaches the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
For Yuko, The Huntington is more than a destination; it has been a home for reflection, learning, and connection. Each visit has renewed her commitment to share the beauty of chado and the tranquility of the gardens, and she hopes to inspire others to cultivate their own peaceful spaces in a bustling world.
When The Huntington announced the addition of the 18th-century Japanese Heritage Shōya House to the Japanese Garden, the Uyesugis wanted to help and made a major gift to support the project.
“George and I wanted to support the Shōya House so that Huntington visitors can experience firsthand how man and nature can live in harmony.” —Yuko Uyesugi
“My late father and I shared a deep love for Japanese gardens,” George says, “and the Shōya House, with its rich history and fine craftsmanship, is a testament to our shared cultural heritage.”
Yuko adds, “George and I wanted to support this project so that Huntington visitors can experience firsthand how man and nature can live in harmony when they see this magnificent garden and house.”
The Uyesugis are passionate about sharing their knowledge and cultural experiences, and they strive to pass this on to the next generations. “Los Angeles is a melting pot with many diverse cultures, and The Huntington can bring us all together,” Yuko says. As annual attendees of the Huntington Ball, the institution’s premier fundraiser, the Uyesugis also purchase tickets for their tearoom students.
“This is another way for me to support The Huntington while introducing others to this special place,” Yuko says. “I want my students to broaden their worldviews and draw inspiration from the beauty and diversity around them. Fostering a legacy of appreciation for the arts and nature is what The Huntington does so well.”
To make a lasting contribution to The Huntington, please contact Marina Kohler, director of donor engagement, at 626-405-3497 or mkohler@huntington.org.