Writing the Seasons: Japanese Calligraphy on an Uchiwa Fan
Date
Saturday 16 May 2026
Time
(a) 11.00am-12.15pm
(b) 1.00pm-2.15pm
Venue
The Japan Society
13 / 14 Cornwall Terrace (Outer Circle)
London NW1 4QP
Booking Details
Booking essential – Priority booking for members of The Japan Society and their accompanying guests
Members of The Japan Society and accompanying guests: £20 per person
Non-members: £25 per person
All tools, equipment and materials will be provided on the day
Bookings open for non-members from Monday 27 April 2026 (More details on how to become a member here)
Please note that spaces are limited and so early booking is recommended.
As the days grow longer and the warmer months approach, join our hands‑on workshop to create your own Japanese fan (uchiwa – 扇) adorned with calligraphy, led by London‑based calligrapher Yoko Takenami.
Participants will learn to write seasonal Japanese phrases that celebrate the transition into summer, arranging their characters on a uchiwa fan to take home. The workshop introduces a variety of Japanese calligraphy styles, including kanji and kana, as well as the fundamentals of using traditional tools such as ink and brush. By the end of the session, you’ll have created something both beautiful and personal — a perfect way to welcome the season. This beginner‑friendly workshop requires no prior experience.
Yoko Takenami started her calligraphy studies at the age of seven. Educated in Japan and in Ohio, US, she qualified as a master of calligraphy in 1990. Yoko now lives in London and teaches calligraphy at various institutions such as British Library while also working as an interpreter. She regularly returns to Japan for inspiration for her calligraphy and tuition from her Teshinkai Master. Yoko is the author of The Simple Art of Japanese Calligraphy.
If you have any questions, please call The Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email us at: events@japansociety.org.uk.
Booking Info
-
Participants under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Due to limited space, only a limited number of under-16s can be accommodated unless their parent or guardian is also participating in the event.
- Please enter the full name for each attendee in the booking form. If you are registering as a member, please provide the email address linked to your membership so we can match your information in our system.
- Confirmation Email
You should receive an automated email from The Japan Society confirming your booking. If you don't receive any confirmation emails, please check your spam folder or email events@japansociety.org.uk. We will send you the details to attend the event closer to the date. - Cancellation Policy
A full refund will only be given where notice of cancellation is received no later than noon Friday 15 May 2026. After this date, we will attempt to resell your ticket(s). If we are unable to resell your ticket(s), unfortunately, we will not be able to offer a refund.
- Waiting List
If tickets are sold out, please sign up for the waiting list below. A 3pm session may be added subject to demand. We will contact you if a place becomes available.