The Japanese Culture Center hosts a wide variety of classes, events, and demonstrations to explore the rich cultural heritage of artists and creators worldwide. Come join us for an immersive experience right in the heart of Chicago!
Join us for an in-person Multi-level 2 Week Ohara Ryu Ikebana Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an in-person 2 Week Ohara Ryu Ikebana Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Sign up for an immersive experience 2-week course for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner eager to discover the […]
Come and learn the seasonal art of e-tegami!CLASS DESCRIPTION:Spring E-tegami Workshop: Green LeavesCome and learn the seasonal art of e-tegami!E-tegami means picture letter (e=picture, tegami= letter) and is a kind of Japanese mail art. At its simplest, you will make an ink drawing of a seasonal object onto a watercolor postcard. At its most complex, […]
Butoh dance training is an invaluable tool for dancers, actors, and creative people of all types. Butoh dance training is an invaluable tool for dancers, actors, and creative people of all types. Sara leads you in exercises to expand your body physically and energetically through breath and meditation techniques, vocal warm-ups, Noguchi Taiso, Qigong, Daoyin, […]
Come join us for a 6-week class where you'll learn the art of Ikebana flower arrangement!We are excited the return of the 6 Week Ikenobo Ikebana Course at the Japanese Culture Center!Class begins Sunday 5/18/2025.Class Dates: 5/18, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/22, & 6/294:00-5:00pm Introductory Course The course fee is $220, which includes flowers and all […]
Anyone who took the Kinstugi for Beginners workshop is welcome to take this small group advanced Kintsugi session.Anyone who took the Kinstugi for Beginners workshop is welcome to take this small group advanced Kintsugi session. In this 3-session class, 2 hours each session, you will learn to use Urushi sap from the beginning of the […]
Join Yamamoto Sensei for a special one-night conversation focused practice!About the EventThis is a one-off night to practice simple conversation with a variety of different Japanese language learners! Students of all levels are encouraged to join with a focus on the following:Simple introductions (students of Yamamoto Sensei should have a self-introduction prepared)Simple questions and answers […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, 5/24 Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather than erasing it and emphasizes that the break, or trauma, is […]
Come our popular origami Fold and Sip event!Event InfoCome join the Japanese Culture Center for our popular Fold and Sip event! We will be learning the traditional art of Japanese paper folding with Yamamoto-sensei while also enjoying drinks from a wonderful neighborhood liquor store. This event has a one drink minimum purchase per person.The event […]
Continue learning the basics of the Japanese language with the next in person beginner session!About the EventDuring this four-week course, students will learn the foundations of the Japanese language including basic phrases, how to read and write hiragana, simple sentence structures and more! Please note that this class will be starting from Chapter 3 of […]
Continue learning the basics of the Japanese language with the next in person beginner session!About the EventDuring this four-week course, students will learn the foundations of the Japanese language including basic phrases, how to read and write hiragana, simple sentence structures and more! Please note that this class will be starting from Chapter 2 of […]
Learn the art of Japanese Papermaking with Takahashi-sensei!Japanese Papermaking WorkshopAt this paper-making workshop, participants will make traditional Japanese paper, called Wash from the fibers processed by the bark of Kozo (Japanese marybery) tree. Washi is typically made by Japanese Mulberry or Mitsumata wood bark and has been used in Japan’s everyday life, including architectural elements […]
A virtual Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) program with instruction from Hekiun Oda Sensei.The Japanese Culture Center is excited to hold a 書道 - Shodo / Japanese Calligraphy program with Chicago's own Shodo master, Hekiun Oda!In the Shodo program you learn the art of Japanese calligraphy from Hekiun Oda-sensei, a calligraphy master from the Japanese Calligraphy Association […]
Japanese ink painting, (sumi-e) is the art of painting using brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin absorbent “rice-paper” (washi). Class Dates: Tuesdays June 3, 10,17,24 Class Time: 3 - 5PM CST Birds and Blooms Step by step painting workshop series that explores the Japanese visual language of bird-and-flower painting celebrating the relationship between man […]
Japanese ink painting, (sumi-e) is the art of painting using brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin absorbent “rice-paper” (washi). Class Dates: Sundays June 8,15, 22, & 29 Class Time: 10:30AM - 12:30PM CST Birds and Blooms Step by step painting workshop series that explores the Japanese visual language of bird-and-flower painting celebrating the relationship […]
Bon Odori Dance Classes with Yoshinojo Fujima of ShubukaiBon Odori is a summer festival for people to come together to honor their ancestors, express their joy, respect, and feeling of community; to create a connection with community. One does not have to be a dancer, the dances are simple and fun!Join the in person workshops […]
Workshop series for Fujima style Japanese Classical Dance, no experience required.3 Class Dates: 6/13,7/11, & 7/18Class Start Time: 8:15-9:15Location: Japanese Culture CenterIntroduction to Nihon Buyo WorkshopNihon Buyo （日本舞踊）draws from Kabuki and also has origins derived from Noh and Bugaku. Workshops will introduce the principles of nihonbuyo movement and will typically focus on one dance. Training […]
Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!**$20 per person**ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice in the traditional Japanese style of Reiki offers participants the opportunity to take a pause during the day to relax, refresh, and come back to their original state of balance. This […]
Reiki Level I Shoden: In-person certification training in JuneTraditional Japanese Reiki I/Shoden TrainingAbout this eventREIKI LEVEL I - SHODEN CLASSA 10-hour Reiki certification class in the Japanese form of Reiki the "Usui Reiki Ryoho".Class Dates: 2 Fridays, June 20 and 27 from 12PM to 5PM. Students are expected to arrive 10 minutes prior to class.Participants […]
Come and learn the seasonal art of e-tegami!CLASS DESCRIPTION:Summer E-tegami Workshop: VegetablesCome and learn the seasonal art of e-tegami!E-tegami means picture letter (e=picture, tegami= letter) and is a kind of Japanese mail art. At its simplest, you will make an ink drawing of a seasonal object onto a watercolor postcard. At its most complex, this […]
Butoh dance training is an invaluable tool for dancers, actors, and creative people of all types. Butoh dance training is an invaluable tool for dancers, actors, and creative people of all types. Sara leads you in exercises to expand your body physically and energetically through breath and meditation techniques, vocal warm-ups, Noguchi Taiso, Qigong, Daoyin, […]
Learn Japanese in this five-week introductory session!Learn to read, write, and speak with fellow classmates in our Introduction to Japanese Language class!GENERAL INFO:‣ Price ⇰ $150.00 per student (textbook NOT included)‣ Duration ⇰ Five weeks (one hour every Thursday)‣ Instructor ⇰ Mieko Fujii SenseiPlease note exact class dates for the class:Thursday Class Dates: 6/26, 7/10, […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 6:30-8:30 pm on Friday, June 27Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese lacquer / Urushi art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. Urushi is the natural resin collected from the lacquer tree. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the […]
Learn Japanese in this five-week introductory session!Learn to read, write, and speak with fellow classmates in our Introduction to Japanese Language class!GENERAL INFO:‣ Price ⇰ $150.00 per student (textbook NOT included)‣ Duration ⇰ Five weeks (one hour every Saturday)‣ Instructor ⇰ Mieko Fujii SenseiPlease note exact class dates for the class:Saturday Class Dates: 6/28, 7/12, […]
Join us for an in-person Summer-Themed Woodblock Printing Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an in-person Summer-Themed Woodblock Printing Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Students will experience basic carvings and print the one-block printmaking process with a simple design provided by the instructor. They will also ink/color on two to three […]
A virtual Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) program with instruction from Hekiun Oda Sensei.The Japanese Culture Center is excited to hold a 書道 - Shodo / Japanese Calligraphy program with Chicago's own Shodo master, Hekiun Oda!In the Shodo program you learn the art of Japanese calligraphy from Hekiun Oda-sensei, a calligraphy master from the Japanese Calligraphy Association […]
Anyone who took the Kinstugi for Beginners workshop is welcome to take this small group advanced Kintsugi session.Anyone who took the Kinstugi for Beginners workshop is welcome to take this small group advanced Kintsugi session. In this 4-session class, 2 hours each session, you will learn to use Urushi sap from the beginning of the […]
Bon Odori Dance Classes with Yoshinojo Fujima of ShubukaiBon Odori is a summer festival for people to come together to honor their ancestors, express their joy, respect, and feeling of community; to create a connection with community. One does not have to be a dancer, the dances are simple and fun!Join the in person workshops […]
Bon Odori Dance Classes with Yoshinojo Fujima of ShubukaiBon Odori is a summer festival for people to come together to honor their ancestors, express their joy, respect, and feeling of community; to create a connection with community. One does not have to be a dancer, the dances are simple and fun!Join the in person workshops […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, 7/19Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather than erasing it and emphasizes that the break, or trauma, is what […]
Butoh dance training is an invaluable tool for dancers, actors, and creative people of all types. Butoh dance training is an invaluable tool for dancers, actors, and creative people of all types. Sara leads you in exercises to expand your body physically and energetically through breath and meditation techniques, vocal warm-ups, Noguchi Taiso, Qigong, Daoyin, […]
Join us for an in-person an Ohara Ryu Ikebana class! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an in-person Week Ohara Ryu Ikebana class! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Sign up for an immersive experience for Ikebana enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're a beginner eager to discover the art of Japanese flower arrangement […]
Join artist Pamela Martinez for a 2 hour introduction to Suminagashi Japanese paper marbling and heart shaped stencils!Suminagashi translated means floating black ink. It is the ancient meditative Japanese practice of gently floating pigments on the surface of water with a brush and then capturing the mono print image on an absorbent paper. This exciting […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 6:30-8:30 pm on Friday, August 1Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese lacquer / Urushi art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. Urushi is the natural resin collected from the lacquer tree. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the […]
Learn the art of Japanese Papermaking with Takahashi-sensei! Participants can use green leaves, sands from beach, etc for decorations!Japanese Papermaking WorkshopAt this paper-making workshop, participants will make traditional Japanese paper, called Wash from the fibers processed by the bark of Kozo (Japanese marybery) tree. Washi is typically made by Japanese Mulberry or Mitsumata wood bark […]
A virtual Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) program with instruction from Hekiun Oda Sensei.The Japanese Culture Center is excited to hold a 書道 - Shodo / Japanese Calligraphy program with Chicago's own Shodo master, Hekiun Oda!In the Shodo program you learn the art of Japanese calligraphy from Hekiun Oda-sensei, a calligraphy master from the Japanese Calligraphy Association […]
Learn Japanese in this five-week introductory session!Learn to read, write, and speak with fellow classmates in our Introduction to Japanese Language class!GENERAL INFO:‣ Price ⇰ $150.00 per student (textbook NOT included)‣ Duration ⇰ Five weeks (one hour every Thursday)‣ Instructor ⇰ Mieko Fujii SenseiPlease note exact class dates for the class:Thursday Class Dates: 8/7, 8/14, […]
Introduction to Japanese Tea CeremonyThe Japanese Culture Center is excited to announce the next introductory course on Chanoyu/Tea Ceremony!General Information:Class Dates : Fridays - August 8, August 15, & August 227:00 pm – 8:30pm$120 per studentBusiness casual attire and white socks are required4 students maximumIntroductory to ChanoyuThis three week course focuses on step-by-step instruction of […]
Learn Japanese in this five-week introductory session!Learn to read, write, and speak with fellow classmates in our Introduction to Japanese Language class!GENERAL INFO:‣ Price ⇰ $150.00 per student (textbook NOT included)‣ Duration ⇰ Five weeks (one hour every Saturday)‣ Instructor ⇰ Mieko Fujii SenseiPlease note exact class dates for the class:Saturday Class Dates: 8/9, 8/16, […]
Come and learn the seasonal art of e-tegami!CLASS DESCRIPTION:E-tegami means picture letter (e=picture, tegami= letter) and is a kind of Japanese mail art. At its simplest, you will make an ink drawing of a seasonal object onto a watercolor postcard. At its most complex, this activity allows us to slow down and mindfully contemplate our […]
Reiki Level I Shoden: In-person certification training in AugustTraditional Japanese Reiki I/Shoden TrainingAbout this eventREIKI LEVEL I - SHODEN CLASSA 10-hour Reiki certification class in the Japanese form of Reiki the "Usui Reiki Ryoho".Class Dates: 2 Fridays, August 22 and 29 from 12PM to 5PM. Students are expected to arrive 10 minutes prior to class.Participants […]
Join us for an in-person Mt. Fuji-themed woodblock Printing Course! No experience is necessary. All levels are welcome.Description: This introductory workshop introduces students to the processes of Japanese block printmaking focusing on inking and printing. In this one-time workshop, students will experience basic carvings and print the one-block printmaking process with a Mt. Fuji-theme design […]
Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!**$20 per person**ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice in the traditional Japanese style of Reiki offers participants the opportunity to take a pause during the day to relax, refresh, and come back to their original state of balance. This […]
Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!**$20 per person**ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice in the traditional Japanese style of Reiki offers participants the opportunity to take a pause during the day to relax, refresh, and come back to their original state of balance. This […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, 9/6Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather than erasing it and emphasizes that the break, or trauma, is what […]
Join Gyotaku instructor, Robert Chenoweth for a 2-hour fish printing class where you will make prints of real fish & octopus to take home!Join us for Gyotaku - Fish Ink Printing!Date: Sat Apr 05 2025Time: 3:30 PMLocation: Japanese Culture CenterCome and learn the traditional Japanese art of Gyotaku (魚拓 -ink rubbing of a fish; (making […]
Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!**$20 per person**ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice in the traditional Japanese style of Reiki offers participants the opportunity to take a pause during the day to relax, refresh, and come back to their original state of balance. This […]
Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!**$20 per person**ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice in the traditional Japanese style of Reiki offers participants the opportunity to take a pause during the day to relax, refresh, and come back to their original state of balance. This […]
Join this one-hour virtual Reiki practice for self-care to relax, refresh, and find balance!**$20 per person**ABOUT THE SELF-CARE PRACTICEThis one-hour online Reiki self-care practice in the traditional Japanese style of Reiki offers participants the opportunity to take a pause during the day to relax, refresh, and come back to their original state of balance. This […]
