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.
Ikebana & Horticulture Experts
SETO-OKERBLOM, Rei
Ikebana, Japanese Tea Ceremony
Type of activity: Ikebana workshops and classes; Japanese tea ceremony demonstrations and interactive tea ceremony experiences for private groups, families, corporate groups and special events.
Available to travel: Based in Little Venice, London. Available to travel within London and potentially to other areas, depending on the event, timing and location. Please get in touch to discuss requirements.
Age range: Ages 5 and above. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or carer.
Number of participants: Private studio sessions: 1-8 participants. For larger groups, corporate events or sessions at external venues, please get in touch to discuss requirements.
email: rei@sahana-london.com
website: https://www.sahana-london.com/
Rei is a London-based Ikebana artist, instructor, and tea ceremony practitioner. Introduced to both arts in early childhood by her Japanese mother—a Sogetsu Ikebana teacher and a Urasenke tea ceremony master—Rei’s appreciation deepened over time. After a career in investment banking, she returned to her roots, earning her Sogetsu Ikebana teaching diploma in just two years. She now offers Ikebana workshops and lessons through SAHANA LONDON, and shares the spirit of tea through the Urasenke tradition. With a deep respect for Japanese aesthetics, Rei brings elegance and mindfulness to contemporary settings through floral and tea ceremony experiences.
KUCHINA-DAY, Rie
Ikebana
Type of activity: lecture, demonstration, workshop
Available to travel: based in East Midlands and London, can travel anywhere
Age range: 7+
Number of participants: 5+
email: ikenobouklondon@gmail.com
tel: 0794 7019 301
website: www.ikenobouklondon.co.uk / www.ikebanalincolnshire.com
President of Ikenobo Ikebana Society UK London chapter and professor in Ikenobo Ikebana based in Lincolnshire but can travel widely: in the past, London, Edinburgh, Sheffield, North Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire.
SAWADA-RUDD, Kiyoko
Ikebana
Type of activity: performance, demonstration
Available to travel: anywhere
Age range: any
Number of participants: 10+
email: kiyoko@ikenobolondon.org.uk
tel: 020 8904 6599
website: www.ikenobolondon.org.uk
SAWANO Takashi
Ikebana, Japanese Gardens
Type of activity: lecture, demonstration workshop
Available to travel: anywhere
Age range: 14+
Number of participants: any
email: tsjfgd@aol.com
tel: 020 8949 9212
website: www.takashisawano.com
ISONO Yukiko
Ikebana
Type of activity: performance, workshop, lecture, demonstration, project leader
Available to travel: Based in Cambridge, can travel anywhere
Age range: any
Number of participants: any
email: ikebanastudio1@gmail.com
website: http://www.ikebanastudio1.com
Yukiko Isono is Master Koryu School. You will learn both Shoinbana, (traditional Koryu Seika style) and Jiyuuka (free style)
NORMAN, Diane
Ikebana
Type of activity: lecture, demonstration and workshop leader
Available to travel: South of England (negotiable)
Age range: 18+
Number of participants: any
email: Har3ridge@aol.com
website: www.Ikebanaandwatercolours.com
Diane is a Sub Grand Master in the Ohara School of Ikebana and has been awarded her own study group. She runs day workshops, residential courses and general Ikebana classes.
Ikebana
Type of activity: teaching, lecture, demonstration, workshop leader
Available to travel: general London vicinity (other locations negotiable)
Age range: middle school students to adults
Number of participants: any
email: kiku1869@gmail.com
Yoko Harnik started Ikebana in the early 1960s at Sogetsu School. After an interval of academic work and a career she restarted with Koryu School followed by Ichiyo School. Eventually, she found Ichiyo to be right school for her and went on to earn an instructor’s degree.
Japanese Garden Society
Japanese Gardens
Type of activity: exclusive garden visits and tours, lectures, demonstrations and workshops
Available to travel: anywhere; we have five regions covering the whole of the UK
Age range: 14+
Number of participants: any
email: info@jgs.org.uk
tel: 0845 094 4584
website: www.jgs.org.uk
The Japanese Garden Society, founded in 1993, now has some 700 members. It is for anyone with an interest in Japanese gardens. Regular meetings, lectures and garden visits are held throughout the country and the Society runs regular trips to Japan.