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Seattle Japanese Garden – September First Free Thursday
September 4 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Experience “Music in the Garden” at the Seattle Japanese Garden
September 4th Free First Thursday
Join us on Thursday, September 4th from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM for a serene and soul-stirring evening at the Seattle Japanese Garden, part of our Free First Thursday event series. This month’s program features a live performance by shakuhachi musician Patrick Johnson, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy traditional Japanese bamboo flute music amidst the peaceful landscape of the garden.
Explore the Garden for Free
The Seattle Japanese Garden, located in the Washington Park Arboretum, opens its gates to the public at 12:00 PM on September 4th with free admission for all. Visitors can stroll winding paths, cross the iconic zig-zag bridge, and admire koi-filled ponds, maples, and meticulously pruned pines in this classic stroll-style garden—one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America.
A Stroll Through Tranquility
Visitors are welcome to wander the garden’s manicured paths and admire the late-summer beauty of moss, stone, water, and carefully shaped trees—all while accompanied by the meditative sound of the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute. The garden becomes a living concert hall, where nature and music blend seamlessly to calm the mind and awaken the senses.
Meet the Musician: Patrick Johnson
Patrick Johnson began playing the shakuhachi in the early 1990s. A devoted student of Aikido and Iaido at the time, he sought a meditative practice to complement his martial arts training. He found it in the shakuhachi, a vertical bamboo flute historically used by Zen monks in Japan as part of their spiritual practice.
Soon, Patrick’s focus shifted from the martial arts dojo to formal Zen training, and he discovered the genre of Honkyoku—traditional Zen music composed specifically for solo shakuhachi. This style remains the heart of Patrick’s musical path.
“For me, the shakuhachi expresses the deep experience of reality just as it is—very much in the Zen sense—that cannot be put into words.”
In the years since, Patrick has expanded his repertoire to include koto pieces, jazz, blues, and even Western styles, though Honkyoku remains the mainstay of his practice.
A Teacher and Practitioner
Patrick Johnson is now a licensed shakuhachi teacher in the lineage of master Yokoyama Katsuya. He is also the founder and chief instructor of the Seattle Shakuhachi Study Group, a community-based “flute dojo” where he shares this profound musical and meditative tradition with others.
Join Us on September 4th
- Free Admission to the Seattle Japanese Garden starting at noon
- A chance to explore the garden during its beautiful summer peak
- Nature and Mindfulness Whether you’re a fan of Japanese culture, a lover of woodwind music, or simply looking for a peaceful way to end your day
- An atmosphere of reflection, creativity, and quiet connection with nature
You don’t need to follow a schedule or map—simply wander the garden at your own pace and allow yourself to be surprised by each artistic encounter.
Come early, stroll slowly, and allow the timeless sound of the shakuhachi to guide your journey through the garden.
Learn more at: Seattle Japanese Garden