Mme. Fumi Akutagawa is an expert in the art of the Japanese kimono. Although she is best known for playing the role of Yukimoto, the teahouse matron, in Memoirs of a Geisha, and acting as kimono advisor to the producers of this award winning Hollywood production, her contribution to the Japanese cultural community is far wider, deeper, and more valuable than this.

As a kimono expert, and teacher of the tea ceremony (Edo Senke School) Akutagawa Sensei’s support of our garden had been long term, and active. Her kimono exhibitions have thrilled visitors to the Japanese Garden, which has provided a most appropriate background for her students as they have displayed all manner of exquisite Japanese kimono.