In 2014, 20 years after graduating from the College of Fine and Applied Arts, actor Nick Offerman designed and built a gazebo in his woodshop in California in honor of his teacher Shozo Sato. Offerman’s design for the gazebo embraces concepts his mentor taught him. “When I was studying theatre at Illinois, I saw Shozo’s designs and was taken with how everything could be considered part of the greater canvas.”
The Azumaya was built from reclaimed old-growth redwood timbers from McMullin Sawmill. The gazebo was packed and shipped to the Arboretum, where it was installed by Offerman, Lee, some of Nick’s old theater friends from his college days, and a crew of local woodworkers from the CU woodshop. Since its installation, the Azumaya has become a popular destination within the Arboretum and the area has been further developed with ornamental plantings. Sidewalks with bamboo brushing and stonework by Shozo has also been poured, connecting the Azumaya to the bridge and the Hosta Garden.