Conferment Ceremony of a Japanese Imperial Decoration for Kunio Minami, Former Chair of the Japanese Garden Advisory Committee for Hermann Park Conservancy
In April 2022, the Government of Japan announced the Japanese Imperial Decoration recipients for spring 2022, which included Mr. Kunio Minami, Former Chair of the Japanese Garden Advisory Committee for Hermann Park Conservancy. He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, in recognition of his valuable contributions to promoting Japanese culture and advancing the welfare of Japanese nationals in Houston.
On November 1, Consul General Murabayashi hosted the conferment ceremony at his Houston residence with about 30 guests in attendance.
Consul General Murabayashi expressed his deep appreciation to Mr. Minami for working tirelessly to manage, restore, and renovate the Japanese Garden for the nearly 20 years, and acknowledged his role as a central figure in Houston’s efforts to bring back the authenticity of the Japanese Garden. He emphasized that the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park is not just a popular place for Houstonians to unwind, but also a symbol of Japan-U.S. friendship. Consul General Murabayashi stated that he is grateful for the opportunity to present this high honor to Mr. Minami on the year of the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Garden in Houston.
Consul General Murabayashi then presented Mr. Minami with the Patent of Decoration, and formally fastened the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.
Mr. Minami reminisced on a time when he was determined to keep a genuine Japanese Garden in Houston as one of his primary goals within the Japanese Association of Greater Houston, which was established in 2003. He highlighted that he could not complete this project without the many people who offered their help to the gardeners from Japan, including bento lunches, home stay, and chauffeur services. Mr. Minami expressed his heartfelt thanks to all those who worked on the Japanese Garden, including volunteers and the Japanese Consulate.
Mr. Chris Olson, Director of Trade and International Affairs of the City of Houston, pointed out that Mayor Turner’s visit to Japan last week displayed the depth of Houston’s relations with Japan. He continued by stating that such a relationship could not be possible without people like Mr. Minami, who do so much to bring the communities together and inspire others to enjoy the beauty of Japanese culture.
Ms. Doreen Stoller, Executive Director of Hermann Park Conservancy, said the Japanese Garden in Herman Park represents the friendship between the two countries and the two sister cities. Over the years, Mr. Minami’s personal commitment to the Japanese Garden has created a great relationship between the Hermann Park staff and the Japanese volunteers and gardeners.
Finally, Mr. Yuzuru Nagawa, current Chair of the Japanese Garden Advisory Committee, announced that Japanese gardeners are coming to Houston next February for the first time in four years. He also reported that his group is working on a stone monument for the Japanese garden, which will be carved with the word “Friendship” in Japanese with Mr. Minami’s handwriting. He then proposed a toast for the friendship between Houston and Japan.
For information about Mr. Minami’s achievements, please refer to the following:
https://www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00360.html
The ceremony can be viewed at the links below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PF5mPTfzBE