study trip to Japan-traditional crafts

study trip to Japan for Traditional crafts

Study trip to Japan for traditional crafts will offer you not just a glimpse into the country’s artistic heritage but also a hands-on experience with its timeless traditions, connecting you to its rich cultural history. A nation well regarded for its respect to culture and traditions, our journey will start from the capital Tokyo, the largest metropolis in the world with a population of 38 million.

Heading west to Nagano, Gifu and Kyoto prefectures, our students will indulge in the traditional crafts of Kimono or Nishijin-ori in Kyoto: Nishijin-ori is a traditional kimono fabric weaving technique with a history of over 1,200 years. We will  visit weaving workshops, meet artisans dyeing the silks for Kimono and even try weaving our own kimono fabric to take back home. Kimono is well known for its relation to Maasai Shukas both that have been appropriated to their respective cultures.

Our skillful minds will not stop at the discovery as we will indulge more into the Pottery making craft. Japan is widely known for its meticulously made earthenware.

In Kiyomizu Pottery in Kyoto,One of Japan’s oldest forms of pottery, dating back to the 16th century. Will offer an opportunity to explore the studios and hands-on pottery experiences.

Washi, paper making for calligraphy, is one of the oldest crafts in Japan and also influential. In Gifu, we will visit one of the oldest paper-making regions in Japan, producing handmade paper used for calligraphy, art, and interior design as well as learn the ancient techniques at Washi Museum.

Woodworking is one the widely known craft with the highlight being the joints without nails. We will explore the Hida Takayama Artisan Village to see woodworkers at work, join woodworking workshops and attend a lecture at the school of design.

Japan,also known for Samurai culture, is also the home of sword making as a craft. In Seki, Gifu Prefecture,it is known for being the sword capital of Japan and produces some of the finest samurai swords. We will visit local swordsmiths in Seki, tour museums dedicated to sword making, and  watch sword-forging demonstrations.

A few highlights of the trip include:

• A tour of the Mingeikan Folk Crafts Museum
• Meet Reiko Sudo, director of NUNO design studio, known for its creative blending of traditional Japanese textile making with contemporary sensibility.
• Visit the home of Kanjiro Kawai, a master of glaze science and pottery.
• Learn about traditional woodblock printing from a 5th generation master craftsman and Ukiyo-e, Kenji Takenaka of Takezasado.
• Visit the Miho Museum and Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.
• Lear about traditional indigo dyeing techniques at Aizenkobo followed by a visit with Tsuzure-ori weaving master craftsman Kikuo Hirano.

This Japan Study trip provides the opportunity to visit private art and craft collections, meet with and learn from experienced craftspeople, eat delicious local cuisine, and go behind the scenes at leading museums and cultural institutions.

Areas of Study

Art. Architecture. History. Language

Age: 10+

This trip is limited to just 19 persons so reserve your space soon!