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!
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 […]
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 the basics of the Japanese language with this in person intro 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!This course uses the textbook and workbook from Genki 1Third Edition. Please be sure to […]
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 […]
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 an Ohara Ryu Ikebana class! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.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 […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 6:30-8:30 pm on Friday, July 25Kintsugi 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 […]
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, July 20Class Dates: July 20, July 27, Aug 3, Aug 10, Aug 17, and Aug 31NO CLASS : Aug 22-23rd Due […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 a workshop on self-defense basics and mental health, focused on queer and trans people, in a safe and affirming space.Join us for the first of a series of workshops and learn self-defense basics in a workshop led by martial artists and mental health and social service professionals, in an affirming space for […]
Gyotaku Exhibit & Demonstration by Master Artist Dwight Hwang Join us at the Japanese Culture Center in Lincoln Park - Chicago for a speciGyotaku Exhibit & Demonstration by Master Artist Dwight HwangJoin us at the Japanese Culture Center in Lincoln Park - Chicago for a special celebration of gyotaku — the traditional Japanese art of […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join us for this Introductory Ikebana Workshop in the Ikenobo style of Ikebana.Workshop InformationDate: July 6Time: 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 3 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, 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join us for this Introductory Ikebana Workshop in the Ikenobo style of Ikebana.Workshop InformationDate: May 4Time: 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 […]
Crafting Beautiful Nerikiri Wagashi for Mother's Day: Celebrating Roses and Early Summer Blooms.If you're searching for a unique Mother's Day gift, join us for an enjoyable wagashi workshop.Create wagashi that captures the essence of early summer, featuring elegant roses in full bloom, delicate petals, and lush greenery – a design that beautifully represents the spirit […]
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 […]
Join us for an in-person Woodblock Printing Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Join us for an in-person Spring 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 […]
Reiki Level I Shoden: In-person certification training in AprilTraditional 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, April 18 and 25 from 12PM to 5PM. Students are expected to arrive 10 minutes prior to class.Participants […]
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 […]
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 […]
Are you interested in knowing different cultures? Capoeira is a unique Afro-Brazilian martial art.Are you interested in knowing different cultures? Capoeira is a unique Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of self-defense, acrobatics, dance, music, and culture.Capoeira is characterized by its fluid and rhythmic movements, often performed in a circular pattern called the roda (circle). […]
Join Takahashi-sensei, in this 3-week course on traditional Japanese painting!Nihonga, a general term for traditional Japanese painting, means, literally, “Japanese painting”. Here is an explanation about Nihonga at Yamatane Museum of Art, one of Japan’s most important Nihonga museums. “Now in common use, this term originated during the Meiji period, to distinguish Japanese painting from […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, 3/29Kintsugi 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 […]
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 - March 28, April 4 , April 11, & April 187:00 pm – 8:30pm$120 per studentBusiness casual attire and white socks are required4 students maximum Introductory to ChanoyuThis four week course focuses […]
Nerikiri (Japanese sweets wagashi) making workshop - Cherry Blossom2025 Nerikiri Cherry Blossom:As we welcome the arrival of spring in March, we will celebrate the season with a special wagashi workshop. We will make Nerikiri shaped like beautiful sakura (cherry blossoms). Sakura holds a special place in Japanese culture, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the […]
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 […]
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 […]
Learn the basics of the Japanese language with this 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!This course uses the textbook and workbook from Genki 1Third Edition. Please be sure to […]
Learn the basics of the Japanese language with this 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!This course uses the textbook and workbook from Genki 1Third Edition. Please be sure to […]
We are excited to offer the next 6 Week Ikebana Course! We are excited the return of the 6 Week Ikenobo Ikebana Course at the Japanese Culture Center! Class begins Sunday 3/9/2025. Class Dates: 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, & 4/13. 4:00-5:00pm Introductory Course The course fee is $220, which includes flowers and all tools […]
Join us for an in-person Kintsugi Course! No experience necessary. All levels welcome.Kintsugi for Beginners 3:30-5:30 pm on Saturday, 3/8Kintsugi 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 […]
Come learn the basics of Kendo in this hands-on workshop!Kendo is a modern martial art rooted in the classical Japanese swordsmanship of the samurai. It is based on centuries-old traditions and the Bushido code, emphasizing values such as bravery, honesty, and integrity. Practitioners train with a lightweight, split-bamboo sword called a shinai and, eventually, protective […]
A 10-hour Reiki certification class in the Japanese form of Reiki the "Usui Reiki Ryoho".Class Dates: 2 Fridays, March 7 and 14 at the JCC from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Students are expected to arrive 10 minutes prior to class.Participants need to attend all sessions to certify.This class has a minimum of two students, […]
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 […]
Join us for this Introductory Ikebana Workshop in the Ikenobo style of Ikebana.Workshop Information Date: February 16 Time: 2:30-4:30pm Location: Japanese Culture Center Number of Students: 10 Students Number of Classes: one workshop Length: 2 hours Cost: $80.00 Registration Deadline: Two weeks prior to workshop date. If the 10 student minimum is not met, registration […]