Isamu Taniguchi was born in 1897 near Osaka, Japan, and emmigrated to the United States at the age of 17.  He returned to Japan briefly to marry, then went back to the U.S..

While raising a family of two sons, Alan and Izumi, he and his wife Sadayo farmed in Stockton, California, and later in the Rio Grande Valley until his retirement in 1967.

The Taniguchis then moved to Austin, Texas, to be near their son Alan.  At this time, Taniguchi-san began work on his masterful contribution to the city of Austin - what is now known as the Taniguchi Japanese Garden at Zilker Botanical Garden.

Working without salary, contract, or restrictions, he dedicated 18 months of his life to transforming three acres of rugged cliffs and hills into this peaceful and beautiful garden.

Over three million visitors have experienced Isamu's contribution to Austin.  Please join us.

*Click below to hear Taniguchi-san. "It has been my wish that through the construction of the visable garden, I might provide a symbol of universal peace."

Heaven  -  Harmony  -  Man  (R-L)

Please feel free to visit the website of Zilker Botanical Garden. There you will find more information regarding the Taniguchi Japanese Garden and other ZBG gardens, upcoming events, the Austin Area Garden Council (AAGC) and the many affiliated garden clubs. 

Join a club today!

Thanks to Tokyo Electron and JASGA for their donations supporting the revitalization of the Taniguchi Garden!

The Texas Bamboo Society meets at 10 am - 1:00 pm the third Saturday of every month in the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin, Texas - for a "Bamboo Garden Study and Workday". Bring a saw, hand clippers and loppers and learn about taking care of the different species of bamboo as you become part of the Taniguchi Revitalization Project!


*Soundbite provided by grandson Keith Taniguchi.

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