Kubota Legacy

Fugitaro Kubota emigrated from Japan in 1906 and brought with him a deep interest in landscape design and the artistic arrangement of plants. In 1927, he established a nursery in South Seattle, which has since evolved into the renowned Kubota Gardens, a public park that showcases his pioneering approach to gardening. Kubota was a trailblazer of the Northwest Style, a naturalistic form of landscaping that integrated Japanese influences with the local environment.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Kubota collaborated with Fr. Raymond Nichols, the grounds manager at Seattle University (SU), to transform the campus. He introduced many large evergreens, including the iconic Giant Sequoia, creating a lasting sense of place. His work established the beautiful gardens that Seattle University is now famous for in the horticultural community. Fugitaro passed away in 1974 at the age of 93, but his legacy continued through his sons, Tommy and Tak, and his grandson, Allen. Allen Kubota designed and installed the Japanese American Remembrance Garden on the SU grounds, further enriching the campus landscape.