Japan House London Family Workshops

Name: Japan House London Family Workshops
Start: 2023-02-13T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Japan House London

ジャパン・ハウスロンドン家族で楽しむワークショップ

The Hall and The Library, Japan House London

Various Times, 13 – 18 February 2023

See below for dates and times of sessions.

Duration: approx. 45 mins to 1 hour

Admission Free

Children must be 6+ and accompanied by an adul

Explore the cultures of Japan this February half-term with a series of family-friendly workshops. During each workshop, participants can enjoy learning about Japan and unleashing their creativity while trying an activity using original Japan House London worksheets.

Create Your Own Hina Ningyō (Hina Dolls)

Hina ningyō (Hina dolls) are displayed in homes where there are daughters on the third day of the third month each year to celebrate Girls’ Day. They are often a family gift to wish for health and prosperity for the girls’ futures. Make your own paper Hina doll display and discover more about the colourful kimono worn by the dolls using an original Japan House London activity worksheet.

Make Your Own Paper Ema

Ema (lit. ‘picture horses’) are palm-sized wooden tablets seen at shrines throughout Japan. Typically, shrinegoers write prayers or wishes on them and hang them at the shrine as offerings. In the Hida Takayama region of Gifu Prefecture, ema are made from paper and decorated with a picture of a horse.

Make your own paper ema using an original Japan House London activity worksheet. The worksheet features a template created by Ikemoto-ya, a famed ema-maker based in Takayama City. Decorate the horse with lucky patterns, add wishes for good fortune and good health and display the completed ema at the entrance of your home to invite in good luck. Remember to hang the ema with the horse’s head facing inwards, so as to carry good fortune inside.  

Design Your Own Uchikake

Uchikake are a type of outer kimono worn on formal occasions in Japan, for example by brides on their wedding day. They are usually heavily decorated with a rich array of images and patterns which are often inspired by nature. Take inspiration from the plants and flowers of Japan to design your own uchikake.

Make Your Own Origami Crane

Orizuru (lit. ‘folded crane’) is one of the best-known designs of origami, the Japanese art of paper-folding. Try making your own orizuru to wish for peace and hope for the future, with a coloured in pattern of your own design or colourful origami paper.