Access to Experts
Access to Experts is designed as a tool to help those organising Japan-related events. Experts are professionals who charge a fee to lead workshops and can tailor their workshop or presentation to different audiences. They may be able to visit schools and deal with larger numbers of students per day than JIYC volunteers and can be engaged to spend successive days at your school.
Please note that inclusion on this list does not imply recommendation by The Japan Society.
Life in Japan Experts
PERRIN, Suzanne
History, Culture, Art
Type of activity: lecture, performance, project leader
Available to travel: anywhere
Age range: 12+
number of participants: any
email: info@japaninterlink.com / perrinsuzanne47@gmail.com
tel: 0208 579 9404
website: www.japaninterlink.com
WALFORD, Reiko
Japanese Language & Culture, Origami
Type of activity: demonstration, performance, workshop, project leader
Available to travel: anywhere (Based in Wales)
Age range: 8 +
Number of participants: any
email: reikowalford@hotmail.com
tel: 01490 450 313 / 07766 711 946
HOARE, Jeremy
Travel Photographer, Lectures on Japan
Type of activity: lecture
Available to travel: anywhere
Age range: 14+
Number of participants: any
email: jeremyhoare@hotmail.com
tel: 020 7722 2065
website: www.jeremyhoare.com
CHAKMAKJIAN, Pauline
Kyoto Lifestyle and Culture, Freemasonry in Japan
Type of activity: lecture
Available to travel: anywhere
Age range: 16+
number of participants: any
email: spyglass8@aol.com
website: www.thejapanroom.org.uk
Pauline Chakmakjian is an independent lecturer on a variety of subjects related to the history, fine arts and culture of Japan. She lectures for private member societies, corporate entertainment, private homes, universities, cruises, charities and other related organizations including lecture tours in Australia and New Zealand.
Ganbare Japan
Samurai and Geisha, Origami, Calligraphy, Food, Soroban, Tea Ceremony,
Type of activity: lecture, demonstration, workshop leader, project leader
Available to travel: anywhere within 1.5 hour journey from Nottingham including East Midlands, West Midlands and South Yorkshire.
Age range: Any
Number of participants: Any
email: kiyoko.naish@virgin.net
website: http://ganbarejapanuk.blogspot.com/
facebook: www.facebook.com/GanbareJapanUK
Ganbare Japan are a Nottingham based charity who promote Japanese language and culture. At the same time, helping UK schools link up with primary, junior and high schools in Tohoku area, North East Japan to exchange letters and messages between children. Ganbare Japan also organise a teamwork building workshop with activities such as Japanese taiko drumming, sushi making and calligraphy activities.
BEDDOW, Derek
Modern Life in Japan, Zen Buddhism, Origami
Type of activity: lecture, workshop
Available to travel: Based in North Wales. Can travel all over UK
Age range: any
Number of participants: any
email: delandsum@yahoo.co.uk
tel: 07429 469 256
website: http://www.easyatlast.weebly.com
Derek Beddow is an education consultant. He has worked extensively in the UK education sector. He lived in Peru for 3 years, teaching at a school in Lima. He has also lived and worked in Japan for 5 years. He visits Japan every 8 months with his Japanese wife. He speaks Japanese, reads Katakana and Hiragana, and has been studying Kanji for a number of years. Derek has been visiting Japan since 1989, and still considers Japan to be the most fascinating country in the world. An extract from his ‘Talking about Japan’ booklet (available free to all) was published in Metropolis magazine in Tokyo.
OKADA Saori
Wellness Coaching, Japanese Wellness Principles, Japanese Calligraphy
Type of activity: workshop, keynote speaking engagements, private wellness coaching
Available to travel: Based in London, UK with availability to travel
Age range: 18+
Number of participants: 10+
email: saori@mogamiwellness.com
website: www.mogamiwellness.com
Saori Okada is the Founder of Mogami, a Japanese wellness brand based in London. She is a certified holistic wellness coach, speaker and Japanese calligrapher. Under her calligraphy name "星 洗 Seisen", she has honed her craft for over 20 years. In her memoir titled "Until the Death of Me", Saori candidly shares her decade-long struggle with eating disorders, showcasing the transformative power of holistic wellness. Previously, Saori worked as a Director of Customer Success in media analytics and has lived in four different countries, which has shaped her international perspective. Her mission is to empower individuals to achieve lasting personal wellness through the art of Japanese well-being. Mogami strives to connect cultures by introducing the world to authentic Japanese wellness principles. Saori works to help individuals and organisations explore, learn, and integrate these principles into their ethos.