The Japan Society

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.

Calligraphy & Sumi-e Experts


TAKENAMI Yoko

Calligraphy, Arts, Craft, Origami

Type of activity: lecture, demonstration
Available to travel: anywhere
Age range: any
Number of participants: any

email: yokotakenami@aol.com
tel: 020 7723 2029 / 0778 097 2350

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ISHIDA Eiko

Japanese Calligraphy

Type of activity: Workshop / Demonstration
Available to travel: Based in Surrey - can travel within one hour by car or train
Age range: 8+
Number of participants: Workshops for up to 10 participants; with some flexibility

email: eisai@eisaishodo.com
tel: 0779 605 8915
website: https://eisaishodo.com/

Eiko Ishida (Eisai) was born in Osaka, Japan, and is a professional Japanese calligraphy artist with over 25 years of experience. She started practicing shodo at the age of 7 and has since developed her skills in both traditional and her own unique style. Eiko has taught workshops and courses at Surrey Adult Learning Centres, local art centres, and for The Japan Society for many years. During this time, she also led workshops for various schools and companies across London and the South East. Additionally, she offers workshops and classes to both groups and individuals at her home.


OKUYAMA Misako

Japanese Painting, Calligraphy, Arts, Crafts, Origami

Type of activity: lecture, demonstration, performance, workshop leader, project leader
Available to travel: International
Age range: 3+
Number of participants: Workshops for 1-10 participants; Lectures or demonstrations for 10 – 50 participants; Performance for 50+

email: msmilem@hotmail.com
website: www.misakoart.com

Misako Okuyama’s MA and PhD research relates to art projects in community settings. She has experience running workshops for those with special needs and vulnerable groups. Example events carried out at schools include: book week, Clapham Festival, Japanese art, bag making, mask making, origami workshop at Morley College. Misako also did calligraphy work for ‘NEIGE’ opera at Luxembourg Theatre.


Ganbare Japan

Calligraphy, Food, Origami, Soroban, Tea Ceremony,  Samurai and Geisha

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.


CILMI, Monika

Japanese Brushwork and Origami

Type of activity: workshops, commissions
Available to travel: London and Suffolk
Age range: Any
Number of participants: Up to 15

email: monika.cilmi@yahoo.co.uk
website: www.monika149.wixsite.com/monikacilmi/

Monika Cilmi was born in Italy and has studied art ever since. After graduating from the “Accademia di Belle Arti” she took a MA in Painting restoration and then a PG in Japanese and Korean art in London. Monika has now completed a Research degree in Fine Art with a project on Zen brushwork and works as a freelance artist and tutor.

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CAVACIUTI, Peter

Traditional Painting - Sumi-e, Nihonga

Type of activity: lecture, demonstration, performance, workshop
Available to travel: Cambridge
Age range: 8+
Number of participants: 10+

email: pinestudio@googlemail.com
website: www.camopenstudios.co.uk

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LAVERY, Pauline

Sumi-e, Papermaking, Origami

Type of activity: demonstration, workshop
Available to travel: Scotland
Age range: any
Number of participants: any

website: www.pauline-lavery.com

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OKADA Saori

Japanese Calligraphy, Wellness Coaching, Japanese Wellness Principles

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.

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IWAKI Eiko

Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo and Fudemoji)

Type of activity: workshop
Available to travel: Based in Spain, but can travel to the UK
Age range: any
Number of participants: Up to 15

email: carlosarzua@usal.es (please contact agent, Carlos Ramos for details)

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