The Japan Youth Collective invites you to join them on a journey to connect with Japan this spring. Immerse yourself in the heartbeat of taiko drumming, be captivated by a live shamisen performance, and get hands-on with exclusive experiences like kokeshi doll and hanko making. This is your exclusive ticket to connect with Japan – don't miss this cultural adventure!

Programme 

*Please note exact times may be subject to slight changes on the day

About the Workshops

Try Taiko with Liz Walters and the Tamashii Dōjō Drummers

The word ‘Taiko’ simply means ‘drum’. The word ‘Wadaiko’ however, means ‘Japanese Drum’ and is widely understood to mean the art of Japanese drumming. The art of Wadaiko is not only about learning and playing rhythms, but focussing on dynamic movement on and around the drum. It's about discipline, focus, etiquette and culminates in a powerful energy, vibration and connection between player, drum and audience. After listening to their performance, try taiko drumming yourself!

About Liz and the Tamashii Dōjō Drummers 

The Tamashii Dōjō Drummers were founded by  Liz Walters in 2000. Tamashii means 'soul' or 'spirit' in Japanese. 
Find out more: https://tamashii.co.uk/ 

Design a Kokeshi with Aya Burbanks 

Kokeshi are traditional handcrafted wooden dolls characterised by their lack of arms or legs. They originated in the Tohoku region in northern Japan and have been crafted by woodworkers as toys since the 19th century. Nowadays, they are mostly used as ornaments or decorations and displays. In this workshop, Aya will walk you through a brief history of kokeshi and show you a selection of her original handmade designs, some inspired by popular anime characters, before teaching you how to decorate a kokeshi with your very own design! 

About Aya

Aya grew up in Japan on the island of Sakurajima in Kagoshima, which has one of the world’s most active volcanoes. She enjoys all kinds of painting with specialities in Sumi-e ink painting and Japanese calligraphy in which she holds master licenses. Her favourite Japanese artists are Hokusai and Hiroshige. She has been actively involved with promotion of Japanese traditional culture in the U.K. through her calligraphy and artworks as well as teaching. 

Make a Personal Hanko with Nao Fukumoto  

A hanko is a small stamp with a personal seal used for signing important documents or contracts in Japan. Originally used only by the Emperor, it came into use by the general public since the early Meiji period and still remains an important part of life in modern day Japan. In this workshop, Nao will walk you through a brief history of seals in Japan and show you examples of different types of seals before teaching you how to carve your own katakana hanko from rubber to take home! 

About Nao

Nao’s background is in textiles and she teaches other Japanese craft workshops both in the UK and Japan. She studied a BA and Masters in woven textiles at Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, mainly using traditional Japanese cloth to design and weave Kimono. Nao was awarded a scholarship to study for a year at UCA Farnham (formally SIAD) and she received numerous prizes all over the world for her work during this period. Nao’s studio is at the Farnham Maltings and you can catch her on instagram @naofukumoto_textile or www.naofukumoto.com.

Try Shamisen with Hibiki

The shamisen is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument and this workshop provides a unique opportunity to learn more with a world leading shamisen player. Participants in this interactive workshop will have the opportunity to see the shamisen up close, find out more about its history, ask questions, and have a go themselves.

About Hibiki 

Hibiki is a London based Tsugaru Shamisen player with over 15 years of experience in playing this unique and fascinating instrument. He is officially recognised as a world leading talent of Tsugaru Shamisen and regularly performs across the UK and Europe.
Find out more: https://hibikishamisen.com/ 

Supported by:

Japan House London Trust

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