Upcoming Events

Join us for a month of Aikido training with the Aikido Association of America at the Culture Center of TECO in Chicago

Join us for an in-person an Ohara Ryu Ikebana class! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an in-person 2 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 in celebrating Japanese culture and the spirit of Kaizen as we help build a new cultural landmark and honor the past.A Captivating Evening of Japanese Arts & CultureJoin us for a captivating evening in support of the Japanese Arts Foundation and our mission to provide access to vibrant Japanese programming for all of […]

Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, 11/8Kintsugi 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 break […]

Anyone who took the Kinstugi for Beginners workshop is welcome to take this small group advanced Kintsugi session.For those who have completed Kintsugi for Beginners and wish to deepen their practice, this small-group, four-session course offers an immersive experience in the traditional Japanese Kintsugi method. Over four weeks (two hours per session), participants will work […]

Study the art of bonsai at the Japanese Culture Center!Discover the perfect blend of creativity and relaxation with our beginner bonsai workshops. Whether you're a seasoned bonsai enthusiast or a curious beginner, our workshops provide all the materials and guidance you need to create your own miniature living art with the Japanese principles of Wabi […]

Nerikiri (Japanese sweets wagashi) making workshop2025 Nerikiri – Autumn Chrysanthemum & Seasonal MotifAs we welcome the beauty of autumn in 2025, we will celebrate the season with a special wagashi workshop. This time, we will make Nerikiri inspired by kiku (chrysanthemum), a flower that beautifully represents the elegance and depth of the Japanese autumn.In addition […]

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, visual […]

Attend a film screening of Proof of the Man, followed by a Kissaten experience & vinyl DJ set. Coffee, Tea, and Snacks ProvidedSaturday, November 29th 2-6PM.Cost: $30As part of the Shikago Foundation project, we are screening Proof of the Man at the Japanese Culture Center for a limited audience. A short discussion will follow the […]

Get Tickets Here Join us for an evening of tranquility and rejuvenation at the Japanese Cultural Center! Embark on a journey of serenity and self-discovery as we invite you to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing melodies of singing bowls, soothing vibrations of gongs, flute, bells, drums, and handpan. This captivating sound bath will transport you […]

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 […]

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:Thursday Class Dates: 12/4, 12/11, […]

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: 12/6, 12/13, […]

Continue your Kintsugi journey in this hands-on, intermediate-level workshop designed for those who have completed "Kintsugi for Beginners."In this 3-hour session, students will deepen their experience with the modern Kintsugi method using ceramic adhesive and epoxy putty. Unlike the beginner class—where each participant practices on a simple plate provided—this workshop offers the opportunity to repair […]

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 […]

Join us for this Introductory Ikebana Workshop in the Ikenobo style of Ikebana.Workshop InformationDate: DEC 7Time: 2:30-4:30pmLocation: Japanese Culture CenterNumber of Students: 10 StudentsNumber of Classes: one workshopLength: 2 hoursCost: $80.00Registration Deadline: Two weeks prior to workshop date.If the 10 student minimum is not met, registration will be moved to the next workshopPlease take this […]

Learn the art of Kintsugi with artifact restoration expert Mami Takahashi.This beginner’s workshop introduces participants to the Art of Kintsugi, a traditional Japanese technique of repairing broken ceramics with gold-infused lacquer, emphasizing the beauty of imperfections. Using a small porcelain or ceramic plate provided by the instructor, attendees will learn fundamental techniques with food-safe materials, […]

Join artist Pamela Martinez for a 2 hour introduction to Suminagashi Japanese paper marbling!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 2 hr. workshop will […]

Get Tickets Here Step into a realm of deep relaxation and healing at Sonic Sanctuary: Gong Wash Sound Healing. This immersive sound healing journey harnesses the powerful vibrations of gongs, complemented by singing bowls, chimes, flutes, handpan and other therapeutic instruments, to harmonize your mind, body, and spirit. Let the soothing resonance wash over you, […]

Come and learn how to carve your own signature stamp!CLASS DESCRIPTION:Come and learn how to carve your own signature stamp!E-tegami translates literally to “picture letter,” (e=picture, tegami= letter) and entails the process of designing, drawing, and sending a postcard. The final step in this process is figuring out where to place your signature. In Japan […]

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, visual […]

Get Tickets Here Join us for an evening of tranquility and rejuvenation at the Japanese Cultural Center! Embark on a journey of serenity and self-discovery as we invite you to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing melodies of singing bowls, soothing vibrations of gongs, flute, bells, drums, and handpan. This captivating sound bath will transport you […]

Get Tickets Here Step into a realm of deep relaxation and healing at Sonic Sanctuary: Gong Wash Sound Healing. This immersive sound healing journey harnesses the powerful vibrations of gongs, complemented by singing bowls, chimes, flutes, handpan and other therapeutic instruments, to harmonize your mind, body, and spirit. Let the soothing resonance wash over you, […]

Join us for an in-person an Ohara Ryu Ikebana workshop! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an Ohara Ryu Ikebana Workshop! 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 or an […]

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:Thursday Class Dates: 1/22, 1/29, […]

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: 1/24, 1/31, […]

Nerikiri (Japanese sweets wagashi) making workshopValentine's Day Nerikiri: Hearts and the Thread of DestinyEnroll now for our special Wagashi workshop, dedicated to the theme of Valentine's Day!This class offers a perfect opportunity to prepare a thoughtful, handmade gift for your loved ones. We will focus on two beautiful and meaningful designs:Heart: Nerikiri shaped like a […]

Japanese ink painting, (sumi-e) is the art of painting using brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin absorbent “rice-paper” (washi).About this EventThe Year of the Fire HorseIntroduction to an appreciation of Chinese/Japanese calligraphy and painting.Each class begins with a Zen lesson followed by breath and hand exercises. Demonstration of the “Vocabulary of strokes" followed by step-by-step […]

Get Tickets Here Join us for an evening of tranquility and rejuvenation at the Japanese Cultural Center! Embark on a journey of serenity and self-discovery as we invite you to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing melodies of singing bowls, soothing vibrations of gongs, flute, bells, drums, and handpan. This captivating sound bath will transport you […]

Japanese ink painting, (sumi-e) is the art of painting using brush (fude), ink (sumi) and thin absorbent “rice-paper” (washi).About this EventThe Year of the Fire HorseIntroduction to an appreciation of Chinese/Japanese calligraphy and painting.Each class begins with a Zen lesson followed by breath and hand exercises. Demonstration of the “Vocabulary of strokes" followed by step-by-step […]