The Friends of Mukai invite the public to join them in celebrating two occasions this Saturday at the Mukai Farmstead and Garden.

The first event marks a major step in the Japanese Garden restoration, according to Friends of Mukai President Kay Longhi.

Five cherry trees will be placed along 107th Avenue in front of the Mukai house. The friends group has been working for two years to reach this milestone, she said, adding that the group is excited to honor Kuni Mukai by restoring the garden she created and maintained between the 1920s and 1940s. That she was an immigrant, a first-generation Japanese woman and responsible for the design makes the garden a national treasure. The garden allowed her to retain a part of her native culture, Longhi said, noting that the garden is the only surviving garden by a first-generation Japanese woman.

“Planting these trees, the first of 18 Kuni had around the garden, is our recognition of her trailblazing work. It has long been our desire to share the garden, especially the cherry trees, with the public, just as she did,” Longhi said in a recent press release.

The Friends of Mukai have spent the last two years working with a landscape architect experienced with designing Japanese gardens. The progress toward creating a circulation plan for walking paths and parking and a master landscape plan has been slow.

“Because the garden is on the National Register of Historic Places, every detail of the design must meet strict criteria for historical accuracy,” Longhi said.

The work is especially challenging since restoration work is also underway on the Mukai house and grounds.

“Planning the sequencing of the entire restoration work is vital so that no new work has to be undone in order to do other work,” she added.

For example, the pond at the base of the hill garden must be restored, which involves moving stones and dirt on and around the hill. No planting on the hill can take place until the pond work is done and an underground irrigation system is in place.

After the tree planting ceremony, those gathered will proceed into the Mukai house to honor all of the volunteers over the last year who helped Friends of Mukai make progress toward the preservation of the farmstead and garden. The Mukai volunteers will be joined by the volunteers working on the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association “Joy and Heartache” exhibit opening April 6. That exhibit will tell the story of Japanese Americans on Vashon through photos, artifacts and personal accounts.

“We want to honor all those volunteers working hard to tell the stories of our island’s Japanese American history, Longhi said.