Kubota Legacy

Learn how Fugitaro Kubota's visionary Northwest Style landscaping transformed Seattle University's campus in the 1950s-60s, blending Japanese design with native flora to create an enduring botanical legacy continued by generations of the Kubota family.

  1. Life at Seattle U
  2. Our Campus
  3. Campus Gardens
  4. Kubota Legacy

About Fugitaro Kubota

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.

The Gardens

  • a path leads you into one of the Kubota Gardens on campus
  • a waterfall and stone pathways at the Seattle University Kubota Gardens
  • a stone sculpture amidst ferns and Japanese maples at the SU Kubota Gardens
  • Kubota Legacy Gardens in the Sinegal Center courtyard
  • intricate zigzagging tree branches of a Japanese maple at the Kubota Legacy Garden at SU
11th and Marion St. entrance to the Sinegal Building
The large Weeping Japanese maples were planted on campus by Allen Kubota in 2004.
11th and Marion St
Oriental spruce, right on the corner, very rare large specimen.
Northwest corner and east entrance to Pigott
The Japanese red pine (has wood support) that was moved from the law school site by son Tom Kubota in 1997 is south of the entrance to Pigott.
Marion St and 10th, northeast corner
Many unusual varieties of trees: Golden Atlas cedar Cedrus atlantica ‘Aurea’, Weeping Giant Sequoia, Sequoiadendrum gigantea ‘Pendulum’. Strong corridor of Kubota’s presence.
Japanese garden at Campion Hall
Japanese garden evokes a sense of tranquility and contemplation of nature. Pond and waterfall with many mature Japanese Maples, both weeping and upright. Beautiful Blue Spruce with foliage that cascades down the hill at the waterfall.
12th and Cherry, south corner of Bellarmine Hall
Quintessential Kubota, with layers of texture, color and form. All his signature trees, true cedars, beech, large variegated western red cedar.
Japanese Memorial Garden, HUNT Hall 11th Ave and Spring St
Designed and installed by Allen Kubota in 2004 to honor Japanese Americans incarcerated in camps during WWII. This garden is also a memorial to Fugitaro Kubota.
10th and Spring, Admin building northeast corner
Mugo Pine that was one of the original trees planted by Kubota on campus. Was moved back into the bed, out of harm’s way from vehicles by Allen Kubota in 2005. Pruned to show its intricate branching pattern.
10th and Columbia, four corners
Here Kubota was able to touch all four corners with his distinctive style. The very majestic Weeping beeches at the southeast corner, mature green cedrus deodar northeast corner, mature pines, Bloodgood maple northwest corner.
Lemieux Library west entry
2 Japanese black pines flanking the entrance, a grove of red pines and true cedars all the way to Cherry St, possibly used as “storage area” for large evergreens by Kubota.
Xavier Courtyard
Japanese Maple to the west of courtyard was one of Tom Kubota’s favorite trees (from Allen Kubota, Tom’s son)

Extras