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Mastering a skill takes years of training, and cannot be done in a week, but it is pleasurable to learn something about a tradition and its practice. Japan has an established system of licenses for all its arts.
 One can spend years studying the marital arts, flower arranging, gardening, calligraphy, dance, cuisine, textiles, pottery, music, acupuncture, the art of paper folding (origami), poetry, or paper making to name a few,without acquiring a certificate, but for millions of Japanese, lessons in the arts, a language -- even ballroom dancing -- are important pastimes. In Kyoto, teachers are numerous and classes can be enjoyable social occasions. Special workshops have been designed to allow you to discover a Japan whose traditions surround and support its famous temples, shrines, and gardens.
These workshops offer a sampling of the city's cultural diversity.
By attending classes in language and the arts participants can gain an understanding of Japan through its crafts and people.
All lessons are taught by qualified teachers who give a brief description of their specialty before the lesson. During your one week stay, the variety of lessons will help you acquire an understanding of these traditional arts and to learn how they complement each other.
Lessons are given in the mornings on one or two afternoons, and on some evenings. Most afternoons are open, free time for you explore the city.
 Days which fall on either of the city's famous temple flea market days are open allowing participants to try out their new language skills while shopping for antiques, gifts or just viewing the variety of items available.
Festivals, large and small, mark the passage of time in Kyoto's calendar. You will be accompanied not only to the most notable festivals, if they fall during your stay as well as to lesser known ones.
The week-long workshops will differ as to teacher and invited speaker availability, and the seasonal materials used for cooking, but all will offer a full and diverse schedule.
A language lesson in survival Japanese will be offered the first day.
There will be a hands-on experience in the use of the brush with an introduction to the art of calligraphy. Lessons in Japanese cooking will feature the best of area's seasonal delicacies.
The study of chanoyu (tea ceremony) integrates most elements of Japanese culture, and provides a fascinating look at this disciplined yet sophisticated pastime. Preceding attending a tea ceremony we will look at how floral-inspired Japanese sweets are made.
 A visit to one of Kyoto's large Zen temples provides a chance to hear a lecture by a Zen monk and practice sitting zazen in a meditation hall.
A visit to a martial arts practice hall (dojo) offers the chance to see one of the martial arts being practiced and taught. Japanese music played on indigenous instruments provides another look at Japan's long. rich musical tradition.
Concerts, Kabuki and Noh plays are included in the tour when those events are available, (therefore workshop prices may vary). The basic workshop fee includes a welcome dinner and farewell lunch, teaching fees, materials, tickets to performances, and lectures. Workshops are limited to five and fifteen people.
Hotels bookings should be made individually according to budget and taste. I suggest reserving a room as early as possible, especially during the autumn months of October. and November and the spring months of March and April. These are the times of the major festivals and for viewing maple leaves and cherry blossoms which bring thousands of Japanese tourists to Kyoto. Suggested contact homepages for hotels and Japanese style inns are given below. |
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Upcoming Fall workshops 2007