Yasushi Restorative Garden

05/04/2019

FOR SALE

My Yasushi Restorative Garden, house and property will soon be listed for sale. It is located in the Acreage area of West Palm Beach, FL 33412.

House is 3403 sq ft (2342 under air). It has 3-4 bdrms (one was converted to an office and the closet was removed, and another is the home theatre but could be used as a bdrm as it has 2 closets); and 2 full baths. In 2006, a 3-car garage was added and the original garage converted to the theatre. New AC unit in 2010.

Lot is 1.31 acres. Neighbors front and back. To the east is a vacant lot and to the west is an canal, with houses on the other side. It is at the end of a dead end street.

And of course the garden was designed and built by the world-renowned Kurisu International, https://www.kurisu.com/

For more information about the property, contact Dr. Y. Stephen Yamamoto, [email protected]

11/26/2018

Finally got my waterfall and pond cleaned and operational again, thanks to Parker's Ponds.

11/20/2018

Parker's Ponds did a magnificent job cleaning my pond and waterfall.

06/30/2018

a PDF file, with articles about the garden and about restorative, healing gardens in general is available. just message me your email address. not sure how to post it here. no cost or obligation.

06/01/2018

06/21/2013

Another garden article:

Healing Gardens in his own Backyard: Yasushi Stephen Yamamoto Story & Photos
by Lois Spatz

Within the Western Communities, one man has developed an innovative setting for healing to take place, based on Eastern philosophy.

Resting here in the former swamplands of the Acreage, can- cer survivor Yasushi Stephen Yamamoto wants his extraordi- nary garden filled with bamboo trees, blooming jasmines and a babbling brook to serve as a more than a dedication to friends and family gone from his life way too soon.

“In 1996 my sister Diane passed away due to complica- tions from cancer,” Yamamoto says in a gentle somber voice. “Four years later my mother was diagnosed with pancre- atic cancer and passed away. Four years after that my dad
passed away quietly in his sleep.” It would be one year later, on November 3, 2005 on what would have been his sister’s fifty-ninth birthday, he received the devastating news he now had very advanced prostate cancer. And within that same year he found out his best friend in Jacksonville was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

As the winds of trauma and tragedy blew down his doorstep, this is where he held onto guidance and restoration through nature’s great power—in this magical garden.

Now that he is stronger, a part of his mission is to provide other cancer patients with a special place so that they too can experience the same wonderment, peace and healing.
“When I am here, I just feel the stress leaving my body—
it is a wonderful feeling,” Yamamoto describes in his tranquil tone. “I really hope that I can offer this to others. And not only to cancer patients, but also to their caregivers, who are usually also under a tremendous amount of stress—some- times even more than the patient.”

Although his cancer is in remission now, his memories of the time when he first found out he had cancer are fresh in his mind.

This DuPont scientist and internet consultant retiree immediately became proactive researching and seeking out the world’s best doctors, facilities and treatments. He wound up in Baltimore, where he says he found the frontmost author- ity on prostate cancer, Dr. Patrick C. Walsh at Johns Hopkins Hospital—where his intensive path to recovery had only just begun.

“It was a rough time because I had no family around, I had very few friends and going through all of this was very trying,” Yamamoto adds. “Then my best friend died at the same time I was going through prostate surgery.”
He refused to let tragedy rule his life and instead chose to move forward onto a path of triumph. He held strongly onto his Bahá'í faith and his scientific background and fought with all he had. His research led him to studies showing how can- cer patients benefited greatly from many forms of holistic healing, such as meditation, yoga and tai chi. There seemed to be evidence that patients found strength in the peacefulness of restorative gardens throughout many public arenas.

His remembrance of one of the most graceful gardens he visited was the Morikami Museum and Gardens in Delray
Beach. Now with his illness ignited, he was led to seek solace in the power of a quiet moment.

He began researching the many gardens created by the Morikami landscape designer Hoichi Kurisu. Yamamoto says he felt Kurisu had a true talent for tapping into the possible realms of holistic healing through nature.

An inheritance left by his parents and some smart land investments made it possible for Yamamoto to personally commission the famous garden designer.

“I did research and found that he {Kurisu} was very involved in creating heal- ing and restorative gardens at various hospi- tals and institutional settings worldwide, but very few were ever created for private residences,” Yamamoto explains.

That did not quell Yamamoto’s inspiration. He was determined because he knew the power of these gardens firsthand and wanted to be able to experience that same energy in his own home. “I always wanted a Japanese garden because of my Japanese heritage,” Yamamoto explains. “I also wanted some- thing as a tribute to my mother, sister, my dad and my best friend. I thought a healing garden would really aid me in my healing and dealing with the stress of always knowing the cancer may suddenly reappear in other parts of the body. Every six months I have a PSA test done to find out whether the cancer has come back. It is always in the back of your mind.”

Most mornings in the midst of his somewhat rural sur-
roundings,Yamamoto sits in his tucked-away oasis near the small koi pond. He meditates to the soothing sounds of a cas- cading waterfall while watching black bass and tilapia swim near the garden’s designated beach area, filled with tiny pebbles.

Upon extending hospitality, he encourages visitors to walk along the garden’s trail surrounded with carefully com- bined tropical, indigenous and exported fauna planted pur- posefully to provide a blend of texture and scent without dis- tracting the eye with too much color.

Yamamoto is more than willing to talk about the multi- sensual purpose of the garden with its winding path that allows the mind to anticipate what is around each curve. He describes how the concrete dock, the wooden platforms, the stepping stones and gravel all make different sounds as one makes his way through this vegetative mini-paradise. He explains how specifically the sounds of the waterfall change, becoming softer then louder—as one walks along.
He says he knows for sure that helping others heal helps him to heal too.

Yamamoto’s future plans include forming his own non- profit corporation that will allow the gardens to be a place for volunteers to lead meditation, teach yoga and tai-chi classes and he wants to provide these services free to cancer patients and their caregivers. He is currently seeking those who would like to volunteer their time to help and is also pursuing some- one who is willing to help him create a 501c.

Although he travels and speaks to different cancer support groups throughout the area, if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer and want to know more about the Yasushi (Peace) Restorative Garden, Steve Yamamoto can be reached at [email protected].

Lois Spatz is a freelance writer and photographer who lives in Wellington. She enjoys telling stories and photographing the people who live, work and play in Palm Beach County’s Western Communities.

06/21/2013

sun-sentinel.com/features/home/sfl-flhg22healingnbsep22,0,1025961.story
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Nature nurtures in a healing garden

By Charlyne Varkonyi Schaub

HOME & GARDEN EDITOR

September 22, 2007

At first glance, Steve Yamamoto's house at the end of an unpaved road in The Acreage in western Palm Beach County looks a lot like others in the neighborhood. Single story. Stucco. Situated on a large piece of ground.

But enter the backyard, and it's obvious this is no typical garden.

Water rushes over boulders and rocks into a pool. A Japanese-crafted pergola and an area with a pair of benches invite conversation or meditation. Gravel pathways crunch under foot. Curved paths allow what lies ahead to remain a mystery. Plants are selected for their texture and leaves rather than for color. Spaces in the landscape are left empty.

Welcome to Yamamoto's healing garden, commissioned after he learned he had prostate cancer.

The cancer diagnosis about a year and a half ago was chilling. Pancreatic cancer killed his mother. His sister, who had intestinal cancer, died after an E. coli infection. And his best friend had a fatal brain tumor.

"So far everything is all right," he said, explaining that renowned urologist Patrick C. Walsh performed the surgery at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. "But once something like this happens, it's always in the back of your mind."

Yamamoto, 39, was inspired by the peace he felt visiting the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens west of Delray Beach. He hired Hoichi Kurisu, who created the Morikami's landcape design, because one of Kurisu's specialties was restorative or healing gardens. Kurisu International, based in Portland, Ore., also has an office in Delray Beach.

A member of the Baha'i faith, Yamamoto goes out into the garden at about 6 a.m. every day to pray for an hour.

"The healing garden is supposed to take you away from the everyday mundane life and work and problems," Yamamoto said. "It's a blending of nature, appealing to all senses."

Kurisu talked about how a healing garden can connect the human mind to nature so those with health or mental problems can get outside of themselves and feel some peace.

"If you study the connection to nature and open yourself up to nature, that's the start of the healing of disease," he said. "You start to feel a part of the universe."

Transforming Yamamoto's backyard was a challenge. When Kurisu first saw the more than 2,000 square feet, he said it looked "terrible, all weeds and fire ants." His only inspiration was an old slash pine that he wanted to use as a main part of his design.

Japanese gardens typically contain elements that are made from natural materials such as boulders, stones, ponds and waterfalls. Here's an explanation of some of the elements in Yamamoto's garden:

Waterfall focal point
Kurisu and other designers of Japanese gardens believe that the flow of the water from the waterfall or stream to the pond symbolizes all phases of human existence — from birth to death. In this garden, the sound of the water changes as you walk around the garden. Behind the mound built for the waterfall it sounds almost hushed. Closer to the waterfall it has a louder rushing sound.

"Some say it's like being reborn from the womb," Kurisu said. "Water is soothing and comfortable and peaceful."

Although the waterfall is visible from several rooms in the house, the design reserves some mystery in its location.

"The Japanese way is not to show 100 percent of the whole thing," he said. "You can see from the house that there is a waterfall, but it invites you to go out and see it."

The pond
A consistent element in Japanese gardens is the pond that can symbolize nature's water features. A large pond introduces you to the garden. Another pool of water is under the waterfall.

Yamamoto said he would love to add koi to the pond under the waterfall, but right now there's a problem with a white foamy residue. This often happens in early stages of a pond, Kurisu said, and after the water is exchanged a few times, the condition will improve.

The larger pond has an algae problem. The culprit, Kurisu said, is the Florida sun. Because he doesn't want to use chemicals, the process of decontamination will take a little longer.

"The algae is blooming and it's hard to get rid of," he said. "The solution is to provide more shade from the gumbo limbo, add water plants and introduce fresh water little by little."

The plantings
Some designers say the type of trees and plants selected for the Japanese garden are what give it character. The first thing you notice is the lack of color. In this garden, color comes from a few plants such as the pink trumpet tree, the Golden Shower tree and the trunk of the giant Golden Bamboo. Green plants come in different shades and textures. Ligustrum was selected for its light green leaves and carissa for its shiny leaves. The orange Jessamine was picked for its fragrance.

"Oriental or Japanese garden design doesn't have much color because we believe it takes away from the garden's meaning, depth and effectiveness," Kurisu said. "Color is satisfying to your eyes, not to your soul."

The project has taken more than a year and cost triple the original estimate, Yamamoto said. Delays were mainly because of problems obtaining permits from Palm Beach County. For example, the pergola had to be built with 8-by-8 lumber in order to meet the requirements of the hurricane code.

When the garden is finally looking its best, Yamamoto plans to share it with others. He hopes to form a nonprofit organization and get volunteers who can teach visitors meditation and yoga for free. (For information, e-mail him at [email protected].)

"I did this for myself, but I would love to open it up to cancer survivors and those with a cancer diagnosis so they can have a few moments of peace," he said.

The garden is a lot more than he expected — both in beauty and maintenance. Every day he spends a couple of hours weeding, trimming and cleaning the filters.

"I wanted something to do in my retirement," he said. "I never anticipated it would take this much time. But it's worth it."

Information on Japanese gardening
Japanese gardens: Bowdoin

College features 29 Japanese gardens at learn.bowdoin.edu/japanese

gardens. Most are located in the Kyoto area. Tour the gardens, check

a map and read the history.

Restorative gardens: Learn more about Kurisu International and

Japanese healing gardens at

www.kurisu.com.

The Morikami Museum and

Japanese Gardens: The Morikami ranks eighth among more than 300 Japanese gardens outside Japan by the Journal of Japanese Gardening. See morikami.org.

— CHARLYNE V. SCHAUB