Dedication of Kari's Garden at International Rice Research Institute

On 9 February 2009, Karis Garden, in memory of Kari Otsuka, spouse of Kei Otuska, former IRRI BOT chair (2004-07) was dedicated in a moving ceremony. Kari, who passed away on 2 June 2008, had a special place in her heart for IRRI and that is why the Otsuka family decided to finance the construction of a Japanese garden on the IRRI campus in her memory. The garden is located across the street from Chandler Hall and is adjacent to the Riceworld Bookstore and Coffee Shop.

During the dedication, IRRI DG Robert Zeigler welcomed the IRRI staff in attendance and Dr. Otsuka gave a message about Kari and the Otuskas time at IRRI. The Otsuka family lived at IRRI during 1986-89, when Dr. Otsuka was a visiting scientist in the then Agricultural Economics Department.

Also during the dedication ceremony, Mrs. Yoko Kajisa and Mrs. Crissan Zeigler gave poetry readings and Dr. Sarah Johnson-Beebout played the violin. Then Dr. Otsuka and his children, Seo, Hiroki, and Yuki, joined in the ribbon cutting at the gardens front gate (photo). Those in attendance then joined a reception in the garden.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• IRRI
• Kari
• Otsuka
• garden