The Japan Society

Small Grants 2020

In 2020, the Japan Society Grants scheme gave £11,456 of funding in support of 15 projects taking place all over the UK. Before the Covid-19 pandemic put our lives on hold and forced many projects to be postponed, in February at the Kaetsu Educational & Cultural Centre the 18th Japan Day in Cambridge took place with a line up of cultural activities and performances. Meanwhile, students at King Edward VI Community College in Devon held a successful exhibition on Contemporary Japanese Art and Culture, with workshops to follow later.

The Small Grants Scheme focuses its support on education and community projects, and 2020 was no exception. In Torfaen in Wales, Mamiko Markham introduced students at local primary and secondary schools to Japanese silk painting, and the painted fabric was turned into a special handmade kimono as a result. A Japanese Peace Garden has been built in Coventry, the final part of a long-term project involving primary schools in the city as they learn about the important links between Coventry and Hiroshima.

Some organisers were able to adapt their projects to create online content and virtual events. Theatre maker and puppeteer, Aya Nakamura, held online workshops and talks based around her recently filmed paper theatre piece The Spider’s Thread; Edinburgh City Art Centre’s series of workshops and lectures planned to coincide with the exhibition E. A. Hornel: From Camera to Canvas were moved online to great success, enabling audiences from far and wide to join; and Bristol Museum and Gallery have been hard at work creating online content and educational resources to enhance learning about the museum’s collection of Netsuke.

In the last decade, we are proud to have supported 342 projects with over £200,000 of funding and after what has truly been an exceptional year, we look forward to receiving applications from organisers of new and exciting projects and events.


Japan Society Small Grants - How to Apply


To learn more about the Japan Society Small Grants Scheme, its guidelines and application process visit our overview page. If you have any questions or issues, please contact us at grants@japansociety.org.uk.

Japanese Silk Painting and Kimono Wearing Experiences for Torfaen

Japanese Silk Painting and Kimono Wearing Experiences for Torfaen

Japanese silk painted by children was sent to Shizuoka and hand sewn into kimono, which was returned and exhibited during a kimono wearing event for local people in Torfaen, Wales.

Japanese Avant-Garde and Experimental Film Festival 2021: Bodies

Japanese Avant-Garde and Experimental Film Festival 2021: Bodies

Inspired by the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the 2021 edition of the Japanese Avant-Garde and Experimental Film Festival explored the theme of the body and sensation.

Coventry Japanese Peace Garden

Coventry Japanese Peace Garden

The design and installation of a public garden in Coventry city centre, the outcome of a two-year Cities of Peace Project involving pupils from five local primary schools.

Mutual Mirror / Neighbouring

Mutual Mirror / Neighbouring

A collaborative project between practitioners and curators from both Scotland and Japan, introducing Japanese practitioners to audiences in Glasgow.

Japanese Club

Japanese Club

A Japan-themed afterschool club for Year 7 students in Blyth for the Spring Term, with Japanese language and arts and craft activities. Alongside a special afternoon of raku firing with an expert potter.

Japanese Enrichment Week

Japanese Enrichment Week

A week of Japanese cultural activities at a small school in Yorkshire, including dance, arts and crafts and origami.

Litro World Series: Japan: Drifting Islands

Litro World Series: Japan: Drifting Islands

A special Japan-themed edition of Litro Magazine featuring poetry, stort stories and essays.

E. A. Hornel From Camera to Canvas Exhibition Events Programme

E. A. Hornel From Camera to Canvas Exhibition Events Programme

A series of online workshops and talks to coincide with the exhibition 'E. A. Hornel: From Camera to Canvas' at the Edinburgh City Art Centre.

The Spider’s Thread

The Spider’s Thread

A filmed paper theatre piece complimented by online workshops and a talk, based on a short story by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, created by Puppeteer and Theatre Maker, Aya Nakamura.

Japan Day 2020

Japan Day 2020

The 18th Japan Day in Cambridge took place in February with 600+ visitors enjoying a wide range of cultural activities.