Japan House London Family Workshops Summer 2023

Encounter Japan this summer with a series of free family-friendly activity workshops at Japan House London. During each workshop, participants can enjoy exploring the cultures of Japan and unleashing their creativity while trying an activity using original Japan House London worksheets. 

Origami

Try your hand at origami, Japanese paper folding. Guests can make their own orizuru (folded crane) to wish for peace and hope for the future or make a paper helmet (kabuto) based on those worn by Japanese warriors including samurai.

Design Your Own Kokeshi

Kokeshi are painted wooden dolls from the Tōhoku region in north-eastern Japan. It is thought they were first made in the late Edo period (1603-1868 CE) by local craftspeople as toys for children and souvenirs for visitors to hot spring towns. Today, various kokeshi have developed in the Tōhoku region, characterized by different shapes and patterns. Choose from three different paper templates of kokeshi from the Tōhoku region and design your own patterns.

Design Your Own Okiagari Kobōshi

Learn about the origins of okiagari kobōshi, small folk toys from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture whose roly-poly design have made them a symbol of resilience and perseverance. Be inspired by their characteristic features and use your imagination to colour in the three paper template 

Workshop Timetable 

Thursday 17 August 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Okiagari Kobōshi, Kokeshi) – The Hall

Saturday 19 August 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Okiagari Kobōshi, Origami) – The Hall 

Sunday 20 August 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Origami, Kokeshi) – The Library

Thursday 24 August 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Okiagari Kobōshi, Origami) – The Hall

Saturday 26 August 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Kokeshi, Okiagari Kobōshi) – The Library

Sunday 27 August 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Kokeshi, Origami) – The Library

Monday 28 August 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Okiagari Kobōshi, Origami) – The Library

Friday 1 September 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Origami, Origami) – The Hall

Saturday 2 September 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Kokeshi, Okiagari Kobōshi) – The Hall

Sunday 3 September 2023, 14:00-15:00, 15:30-16:30 (Origami, Kokeshi) – The Hall