Amy Uyematsu [Descanso Gardens]
A commemoration of the life and literary contributions of the late Japanese American poet Amy Uyematsu is scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. The event, titled “Celebration: A Tribute to Poet Amy Uyematsu,” is set for March 23 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. It will serve as a heartfelt tribute to a poet whose works delved into themes encompassing politics, mathematics, spirituality, and the wonders of the natural world.
Descanso Gardens, with its rich history intertwined with the Uyematsu family, will pay homage to the poet’s enduring legacy. The gathering will bring together family members, friends, and fellow poets to reflect on and celebrate Amy Uyematsu’s profound impact on the literary landscape. Local poets will participate in this event, commemorating the late poet who passed away the previous year.
Kim Sudhalter, the media representative for Descanso Gardens, highlighted the longstanding connection between the Uyematsu family and the gardens dating back to the 1940s. Amy Uyematsu’s grandfather, Francis Miyosaku Uyematsu, a pivotal figure in the gardens’ early history, was renowned in horticultural circles as “the Camellia King.” Despite facing internment during World War II, he played a significant role by selling a substantial number of camellia plants to Manchester Boddy, the then-owner of Descanso Gardens, before being relocated to Manzanar with his family. These camellia plants, along with others from the Yoshimura family’s Mission Nursery, formed the foundation of Descanso Gardens’ initial signature collection.
Amy Uyematsu, a third-generation Japanese American, intricately weaves together themes of politics, mathematics, spirituality, and nature in her poetry. Her notable works include “That Blue Trickster Time” (2022), “Basic Vocabulary” (2016), “The Yellow Door” (2015), “Stone Bow Prayer” (2005), “Nights of Fire, Nights of Rain” (1997), and “30 Miles from J-Town” (1992), which clinched the Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize.
Renowned for her contributions to the Japanese American community, Uyematsu co-edited the influential anthology “Roots: An Asian American Reader” (1971) and penned impactful essays such as “The Emergence of Yellow Power in America.”
With a background in mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles, Amy Uyematsu dedicated over 30 years to teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District before her passing on June 23 in Culver City last year.
The upcoming tribute at Descanso Gardens will feature a diverse group of poets, including Naomi Hirahara, Traci Kato-Kiriyama, and Pam Ward, who will share insights about the poet and recite excerpts from her works. Kim Sudhalter anticipates that their readings will serve as a touching homage to Amy Uyematsu’s multifaceted legacy.
Sudhalter expressed that the serene setting under the oak trees, coupled with the poetry readings, promises to offer a contemplative experience for attendees. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in nature, reflect on the profound themes explored in Uyematsu’s poetry, and appreciate the beauty of their surroundings.
In addition to the poetry readings, guests can revel in Descanso Gardens’ springtime splendor, featuring vibrant tulips, cherry blossoms, and fragrant lilacs. The event, hosted by California poet laureate Lee Herrick, is poised to be an afternoon filled with poetic tributes and the enchanting beauty of nature.