• We are in the process of updating and moving this website over to our new Website which can be found Here!

MONTHLY FEATURED PAGES

• Shitennoji Japanese Garden - This video features the Japanese Garden at Shitennoji Temple in Osaka. Music from my Mahoroba CD is also featured.

• The Niagara Gazette featured Josh recently in their newspaper. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy.

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Our Garden Center, which is COMING IN SPRING 2012 is where we have information about our latest events, products, and landscaping possibilities. Our ONLINE WEBSTORE is now up and running! Be sure to check out all of our original gift and garden items. Our E-Zine , or newsletter, on that page is the place to get our Web-Only discounts on both in-store sales and online products.

The Japanese Gardens area of the website offers you ideas on garden design and DIY info on creating your own Japanese garden. There are also many pages full of actual videos and pictures from our experiences with gardens in Japan.

The Japanese Home Decorating and Interior area focuses on helping you create your serene space inside. Here we have loads of cultural info on various traditional artworks and products that we carry.

You can also find original traditional and ambient Japanese Music and Japanese Art.

Although we have experience in various Japanese arts, we see an underlying connection of serenity, naturalness, and simplicity in all of the them. These basic principles are appreciated by everyone, regardless of their cultural background.

We wish to share our experience of years of both living and studying in Japan, and hope you can take something away from it. Through our connection with the culture, art, and spirituality of Japan we have found a rooted connection to nature. Many of these natural aesthetic principles can be applied to your situation as well.

What Is Grand Island Serene Gardens?

Grand Island Serene Gardens is both a family run garden center located on Grand Island, NY, serving the Buffalo, Niagara, Western New York, and Ontario areas, as well as your virtual authority on Japanese culture and aesthetics. Although we are based in the New York area, many of our products, gifts, and art is available online and shipped worldwide.

Check out our Japanese Interior and Japanese Garden sections on this website for ideas that you can use to create your own unique space. In addition, let the Flower Arrangement (Ikebana), Japanese Music, Pottery, and Painting sections help you fully create YOUR serene sanctuary. You can also visit our Garden Center link to see what’s going on at our store in Grand Island, NY, and if you’re in the area please drop by the store.

We periodically visit Japan to both strengthen our relationship with Japanese culture and also search out the best handmade art and goods for our customers.

We have many big plans for the store and wish to share them with the local community. It's a long process but we are aiming to have things rolling in 2011. We hope you will enjoy our Serene Gardens and spaces and take some home with you.

Japanese culture and Japanese art are woven into our concepts of nature, music, and gardening. We hope to see you at the store soon!

The GARDEN CENTER at Grand Island Serene Gardens This is the garden center for Grand Island Serene Gardens, specializing in Japanese Garden design and decor. Located in Grand Island, NY, please stop in for a unique, serene shopping experience.

What's New at Grand Island Serene Gardens - Japanese Culture Blog The Grand Island Serene Gardens Blog keeps you up-to-date with all additions and changes to the Website and other general information related to Japanese culture. Subscribe here.

Japanese Gifts : Online and In-store on Grand Island, NY (Buffalo and Niagara) Japanese gifts can be a great way to treat yourself or someone special to a unique and sophisticated gift of beauty. Check us out for our any occasion great gift ideas!

Book Reviews and our Bookstore Here are our book reviews and recommendations. Most of the books are centered around Japanese culture, art, gardening, and landscaping.

Japanese Gardens and Your Serene Space Japanese gardens are a place of serenity. Through the beauty of Japanese aesthetics you can create your own serene space

Japanese Garden Design For Your Lifestyle Japanese garden design has been influenced by a deep relationship with nature. Art, nature, and culture combine to form a serene work of beauty in the garden.

Buffalo Japanese Garden The Buffalo Japanese Garden is a serene spot for relaxation located in the heart of Buffalo. I hope more people appreciate its tranquility and help support the garden.

Japanese Temples Japanese Temples are some of the best displays of serenity.

Rock Gardens and your Serene Garden Rock gardens are a great way to spice up the average garden of flowers and plants. Here are some hints to help you design your garden.

Japanese Rock Garden A Japanese Rock Garden can be a way of creating a serene space of simplicity.

Japanese Garden Ornaments You Can Use Japanese garden ornaments can be used in your serene space if used correctly. Read here about how you can add a bit of mystery and serenity to your garden.

Japanese Interior Decorating With Japanese interior decorating ideas create your serene space. A refreshing style with hints from Japanese culture

Ikebana Japanese Flower Arrangement Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. Visit here for an introduction and some simple tips to add these principles to your interior.

Japanese Pottery And Your Serene Space Japanese pottery exemplifies the aesthetic principle of wabi-sabi, serene simplicity. Check this page out to learn about our favorite pottery areas, and see examples of art their famous art work.

Japanese Incense Japanese incense comes in many fragrances and helps to create your serene, relaxing space.

Japanese Painting - Tradition and Modernity Together Japanese painting has always merged foreign ideas of aesthetics with those that have developed in Japan. The best art has been a combination of tradition and originality.

Japanese Art: Tradition and Modernity Japanese art has always blended tradition and modernity. Although there is an idealization of the past, tradition was never static.

Wabi Sabi - The Beauty of Imperfection Wabi Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic alluding to the beauty of impermanence, rustic simplicity, and asymmetry.

Japanese Communications Japanese communications are no more complicated than another country’s methods of communicating, however they are bound by culture and therefore take a lot of exploring to fully understand.

Finding Serenity Through The Shakuhachi The Shakuhachi is an instrument that can lead you on a meditative, musical journey that explores nature and our place in it.

Kurofune - Shakuhachi Duo Josh Smith and Izukawa Hidefumi Kurofune is the self-titled cd of the shakuhachi, Japanese bamboo flute, and piano duo by Josh Smith and Izukawa Hidefumi (Kurofune). This CD takes you on a musical journey of the senses.

Shakuhachi Lessons: In-Person and Online Shakuhachi lessons are given both online via SKYPE and in-person in the Buffalo, Niagara, and Western New York area. Joshua M. Smith is a professional shakuhachi teacher with years of experience.

Serenity Within Japanese Music Create your own serene place with the sounds of Japanese music. Let the relaxing shakuhachi and koto sounds let your imagination drift away.

Zen Music and Aesthetics Zen music has evolved through the concepts of Zen and influenced Japanese culture. Here I will talk about how Zen has influenced the Japanese aesthetics in regards to traditional music.

Ancient Japanese Music Ancient Japanese music came about with influences from

Japanese Holidays Japanese holidays represent a time of gathering and group harmony.

The Academic Page For Joshua M. Smith, PhD This is the academic page of Joshua M. Smith, Phd. He is currently teaching at Buffalo State College.

スミス（叙趣）ジョシ スミス（叙趣）ジョシュは奈良とニューヨーク州を拠点

The Grand Island Serene Gardens Family The Grand Island Serene Gardens family story is here. Read about how

Your Meditation Garden and Serene Space Your meditation garden and serene space is easier to design than you think. Here are a few things to keep in mind when developing your contemplative garden.

Privacy Policy for Grand Island Serene Gardens Grand Island Serene Gardens is dedicated to protecting our customers.

Contact Us This is the contact page for Grand Island Serene Gardens

Japanese Culture Events - Japanese Garden, Japanese Music, Ikebana... Here are the Japanese Culture Events we are involved in.

Japan Day in Buffalo, New York Japan Day in Buffalo, NY will try to raise money for disaster relief in Japan. Many Cultural and traditional activities are planned.

Moss Gardens Moss Gardens create a serene and revitilizing garden. For centuries Japanese people have recognized the beauty and benefits of moss.

Kokedama Moss Balls and Mini-Bonsai Kokedama Moss Balls, or sometimes called Mini-Bonsai, are a great easy way to add a touch of art and nature to your home or office.

Japanese Gardening Tools Our Japanese gardening tools are used by professional Japanese gardeners all throughout Japan. Experience how easy perfection can be!

Japanese Home Garden and Residential Japanese Landscapes Japanese Home Garden and Residential Japanese Landscapes are created to various degrees of tradition and modernity.

Landscaping Services and Style The landscaping styles of Serene Gardens are based on Japanese designs to create an authentic, natural serene space.

Okatsune Pruners Okatsune Pruners are the best garden tool on the market. Used by professional Japanese gardeners.

Japanese Landscape Design Our Japanese Landscape Design styles range from traditional to contemporary.

Grand Island Gifts Visit us for Grand Island Gifts. Our gift shop features original local goods such as t-shirts, garden and home goods, artwork etc.

Shitennoji Japanese Garden The Shitennoji Garden at Shitennoji Temple in Osaka is a must see for Japanese garden lovers.

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Rainchains - Japanese Downspout Aesthetics Rainchains are a great way to add an original piece of art to your home or garden. We carry only authentic items.

Daisen Park And Its Japanese Garden Daisen Park in Osaka holds a beautiful Japanese garden designed by a master garden designer. This Japanese garden is a leading representative of this type of strolling garden.

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"Serving the Greater Buffalo, Niagara, Ontario, Rochester -
Western New York and surrounding areas"

Grand Island, NY 14072

SBI!