Abstract: Chinese expert Goto Asataro has always been known for his achievements in sinology and philology, but his important role in the development of horticulture in modern Japan has been overlooked. Based on the social background of the development of horticulture in modern Japan, this paper analyzes the important role played by Asataro Goto in the founding of the Japanese Garden Association and the Tokyo Higher Landscape School based on firsthand historical data, and affirms his authoritative position in the development of modern Japanese horticulture in focusing on Chinese landscape research.

Key words: Goto Asataro, Japanese horticulture, classical Chinese garden, Japanese Garden Association, Tokyo Higher Landscape School