Reclaiming the Garden: A Story of Resilience

Anonymous

The Japanese Pavilion at Esquimalt Gorge Park in Victoria holds a rich and important history. In 1907, Japanese Canadian entrepreneurs Hayato Takata and Yoshitaro Kishida created the first Japanese garden and tea house in Canada right in this park. Designed by Isaburo Kishida, it featured stunning elements like cherry trees, wisteria trellises, and a tea house, celebrating Japanese culture and offering a peaceful space for all.

During World War II, the garden was destroyed by vandals, and its creators were forcibly displaced along with many other Japanese Canadians, reflecting a dark chapter of racism and injustice in Canada’s past.

In 2022, a new pavilion was built, thoughtfully incorporating elements of the original garden, like a reflective pond and wooden features, to honor this heritage. It’s not just a beautiful space—it’s a place of healing, remembrance, and education, encouraging us all to reflect on the injustices of the past while moving forward together.