It’s always good to start or try something new in the New Year! Learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby are often popular New Year’s Resolutions, and if you’re open to Japanese related ones, you’ll see plenty to choose from in our Japanese Events January 2023 calendar. A couple of workshops going on include Ikebana (flower arrangement), Kintsugi (golden repair of broken items), Origami (paper folding), Mokuhanga (woodblock printing), and Chado (tea ceremony).
Also, for those interested in online events, there are three great events in January – the first is the “Japanese Etiquette for Travellers” event by Ippo Ippo, the second is the “JanuaryInJapan Bookclub” event by Zusetsu, and the third is the “Japan Courts & Culture: Slow Looking” by the Royal Collection Trust.
January 5th & 21st: Kintsugi Workshop
Date & Time, Fee and Location
- Thursday, January 5th 2023: 19:30 – 21:00 | £28 | Mini Picassos, 8 Station Terrace, Kensal Rise, London NW10 5RT
- Saturday, January 21st 2023: 11:00 – 12:30 | £28 | KGU5s 130 Mortimer Road, Kensal Green, London NW10 5SN
The idea of this workshop is to repair a loved item, joining together the fractures using the Japanese Kintsugi method – applying the resin glue to the broken sections and making it whole once more. The imperfections aren’t to be hidden but embraced! The Kintsugi method celebrates the beauty of the scars in an object and recognises that the history should be shown and not hidden.
All the kit needed for this workshop is provided.
For booking and more info, please visit these Eventbrite pages: Kintsugi Workshop on the 5th | Kintsugi Workshop on the 21st .
January 7th: The Carpenters’ Line Gallery Tour with Washizuka Hiroshi
- Date: Saturday, January 7th 2023
- Time: 13:30 – 14:15
- Admission: Free (Booking essential. Capacity is limited due to space limitation in the Gallery.)
- Location: Gallery, Lower Ground Floor, Japan House, 101 – 111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA
Take a journey through 1,300 years of master carpentry from the densely forested Hida region of Japan’s Gifu Prefecture in a guided tour of the exhibition; ‘The Carpenters’ Line: Woodworking Heritage in Hida Takayama‘ (Exhibition display in the Gallery from September 29th 2022 – January 29th 2023)
During this special tour, Japan House London Programming Director Simon Wright is joined by special guest Washizuka Hiroshi, a craftsman based in Takayama City who specializes in ichii ittōbori (yew wood carving).
For more information and booking, please check the The Capenters’ Line Gallery Tour with Washizuka Hiroshi page .
January 8th: New Year’s Calligraphy Workshop
- Date: Sunday, January 8th 2023
- Time: 11:00 – 12:15 | 13:00 – 14:15 | 15:00 – 16:15 (all fully booked – but can be added to the waiting list)
- Cost: £15 per person (Member) | £20 per person (Non-member) / Booking essential
- Location: The Japan Society, 13 / 14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1 4QP
Kakizome is the traditional custom of writing your first calligraphy of the New Year.
Suitable even for complete beginners, in this workshop you will learn how Japanese characters were developed, discover different styles of writing, and be guided in the techniques for writing Japanese with a brush. You will come away with your own piece of calligraphy – a positive word encapsulating your hopes for 2023. This is a wonderful opportunity to try this quintessential Japanese art led by a professional calligrapher.
For more information, please visit the New Year’s Calligraphy Workshop page .
January 14th: Happy Origami Workshop
- Date: Saturday, January 14th 2023
- Time: 14:00 – 15:30
- Admission: £15
- Location: THE SNOOTY FOX (Opposite Canonbury Overground Station), 75 Grosvenor Avenue, London, N5 2NN
This is a wonderful Origami experience where you will learn about Japanese traditions. Just by folding paper, you will be happy and calm and before long it will bring a smile to your face.
Japanese Origami artist Toshiko, a member of British Origami Society, will be teaching you to fold beautiful flowers like tulips and lilies, kimono book marks, lovely gift & jewellery boxes and kawaii dress bunting.
For more information and booking, please check the Happy Origami Workshop page.
January 14th & 21st: Ikebana Trial Lesson with a Japanese Ikebana master
- Date : Saturday, January 14th & Saturday, January 21st, 2023
- Time : 12:30 – 14:30
- Workshop fee: £50 per person
- Location: Brocklesby Road, London SE25 4LB
In this class, you will make 1 arrangement, learn how to make sophisticated Ikebana arrangements, and some etiquette when you “do” Ikebana is taught.
Flowers (you can take them home), vase, kenzan, and refreshment are provided.
You’ll have a chance to hear about Ikebana lessons in Japan as well as speaking in Japanese and making new friends.
For more information and booking, please check the Ikebana Trial Lesson page.
January 16th: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Printing
- Date: Monday, January 16th 2023
- Time: 13:00 – 14:00
- Admission: Free with your exhibition ticket or 1 Year Pass (To secure your place, book your exhibition ticket with an entry slot between 10:00 and 12:45 on January 16th)
- Location: The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA
In this lunchtime lecture, Hiroko Imada examines her practice as an artist and the techniques she has developed to create her unique approach to traditional woodblock printing. Hiroko will also discuss the inspiration behind the print she made for the film featured in the exhibition ( Japan: Courts and Culture )
For more information, please check The Art of Japanese Woodblock Printing page.
January 17th: Japanese Etiquette for Travellers | Online (Zoom) Event
- Date: Tuesday, January 17th 2023
- Time: 12:00 – 13:00 GMT
- Participation cost: Pay as you feel
- Location: Online (Zoom) Event
Whether you have plans to visit Japan or are just interested in Japanese culture, join Japanese tutor Elly Darrah at this popular event to find out more about public transport in Japan, how to visit a shrine or temple, and how to behave at an onsen (hot spring) or sentō (public bath).
The event will follow a relaxed format with plenty of chances to ask questions, and at the end, there will be an interactive quiz for you to test your knowledge! No knowledge of Japanese is required to take part – all are welcome.
For more information and booking a place, please check out the IppoIppo Event page.
January 19th: Kintsugi | The Art of Repair
- Date: Thursday, January 19th 2023
- Time: 18:45 – 21:00
- Admission: £70 (Booking essential. Participants must be over 18) | Gallery opens 18:30, Event begins 18:45, Gallery closes 21:00
- Location: The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London, NSW1A 1AA
This taster course led by Iku Nishikawa of Kintsugi Oxford offers the opportunity to learn about Kintsugi (golden repair), the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics. All materials are provided, giving you the opportunity to participate in this ancient tradition. The evening includes a private view of the exhibition.
For more information and booking, please check the Kintsugi: The Art of Repair page .
January 26th: The Art of Ikebana
- Date : Thursday, January 26th, 2023
- Time : 13:00 – 14:00
- Fee: Included in Exhibition ticket or 1-Year Pass (To secure your place, book your exhibition ticket with an entry slot between 10:00 and 12:45)
- Location: The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
Join The Art of Ikebana event to discover more about the practice of Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral design. An expert tutor will create three spectacular, seasonal arrangements, followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. The demonstration will show how cut stems, leaves and flowers are arranged to create an aesthetic balance between the flowers, vessel and the surrounding space.
This event is held in collaboration with Japan House London.
For more information, please check The Art of Ikebana page.
January 27th: Beginner’s Yosakoi / Japanese Dance Workshop
- Date: Friday, January 27th 2023
- Time: 19:00 – 20:00
- Admission: Free
- Location: 16 Flaxman Terrace, London, WC1H 9AT
Yosakoi London Temuzu is hosting a free Yosakoi Dance beginner’s workshop at The Place (16 Flaxman Terrace, London) for anyone who is interested in trying out a new dance style in a fun and supportive environment as part of their commitment to widening the appeal of Yosakoi in the UK.
They will teach you some of the basic moves leading up to an easy-to-follow choreography. You do not need to have any previous dance experience. Just join in and have fun!
For more information, please visit the eventbrite page: Beginner’s Yosakoi / Japanese Dance Workshop page.
January 28th: JanuaryInJapan Bookclub Online Event | The Old Capital
- Date: Saturday, January 28th 2023
- Time: 13:00 – 14:30
- Book: The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata (translated by J Martin Holman and published by Counterpoint Press)
- Event fee: Free (need to reserve a spot for getting a Google Meet link)
- Location: Online
Join the JanuaryInJapan Bookclub at Zusetu store to discuss and chat about an enchanting and beautiful novel called “The Old Capital” by Yasunari Kawabata.
Before attending the event, it’ll be good to read The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata, Zusetsu Review: The Old Capital , and the blog post JanuaryInJapan Bookclub, The Old Capital, to familiarize yourself with the novel, its author and the questions might come up in the chat.
For more event information, please visit JanuaryInJapan Bookclub Online Event page .
January 31st: Japan Courts & Culture | Slow Looking (Zoom) Event
- Date: Tuesday, January 31st 2023
- Time: 14:00 – 15:30
- Admission: Free *Booking for this event will close at 12:00 on 30 January 2023. Your link to access this digital event will be sent the day before the event.
- Location: Online (Zoom)
Join Royal Collection Trust Curator Rachel Peat and the Limina Collective for a period of reflection in this slow looking, mindful digital event. Take a break from your day and draw inspiration from the Japan: Courts and Culture exhibition to engage in the centuries-old Japanese practice of mindfulness. Escape the pressures of a New Year to immerse yourself in guided mindful looking session, focusing on Yoshio Markino’s woodblock print, Buckingham Palace, London, seen across Green Park.
For more information and booking, please check Japan Courts and Culture: Slow Looking Online Lecture page .
Ongoing Japanese Events in January
Hida Shunkei Lacquerware Display at Japan House
- Date: Friday, October 28th 2022 to Wednesday, February 22nd 2023
- Japan House opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 20:00 | Sundays & Bank Holidays 12:00 – 18:00 | Christmas & New Year period details here
- Admission: Free
- Location: Ground Floor, Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High St, London, W8 5SA
As part of Japan House London’s season of woodworking from the master craftspeople of Hida, this display showcases a selection of objects created using a specific type of lacquer particular to Hida Takayama.
The city of Takayama, located in the centre of Hida region, in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture, is commonly referred to as ‘Hida Takayama’. The old Takayama city centre retains the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle and merchant town and is known as the ‘Little Kyoto of Hida’ for its picturesque streets.
For more information, please visit the Japan House London Hida Shunkei Lacquerware display page.
Chado Demonstrations by Tankokai UK
- Date: Saturday, September 24th 2022 to Wednesday, January 18th 2023
- Time: For Wednesday 18 January, 14:00 & 15:00 (Booking open 3 January)
- Admission: Free but booking essential (*Spaces for each demonstration are limited)
- Location: The Hall and the Ground Floor, Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High St, London, W8 5SA
Chadō (the Japanese Way of Tea) Demonstrations are held monthly by chadō practitioners from Tankokai UK, an association connected to Urasenke, one of the largest tea schools in Japan. Each event offers guests an opportunity to experience first-hand the values and significance of the Way of Tea in everyday life. During each event there is also the possibility to ask questions to the practitioners and enjoy a bowl of matcha along with chagashi sweets.
For more information and booking, please visit the Japan House London Chado Demonstrations page.
Your reviews of Japanese Events January 2023
We hope you found our Japanese Events for January round up helpful, and you’re able to check out some of these fantastic events!
We’ll be updating this event page as we get more info, so please do come back to check it from time to time, and please feel free to comment below on your experience if you were able to attend! This will give our readers a better idea of what to expect and may encourage them to join future events by the same organizers.
Also, if you’d like to submit information for your Japanese event coming up in January or February, please get in touch with us through our contact form.
