Workshops and Seminars
as of July 2, 2025
Enjoy Workshops and Seminars!
Workshop Area in the Main Hall of Meydenbauer Center
Sat. July 12
11 AM
Japan’s Traditional Woodworking
Miki Annen - Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto
日本の木工芸
安念 三喜 - 京都伝統工芸大学校
About the Seminar: Japan’s traditional woodworking is known for its joinery techniques that do not use any nails. Intricate tenons are created on both sides to join the boards together.
Miki Annen is a junior at the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto (TASK) majoring Japan’s traditional woodworking. Miki will introduce this amazing technique and share her love for learning this traditional art with us.
About the Organization: The Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto (TASK) is the only school in Japan where you can learn traditional crafts through a modern educational system. First-class crafts professionals provide you with direct instruction there. TASK’s systematic curriculum allows you to learn step by step from the basics to advanced techniques.
At TASK you can choose from 10 majors: Ceramics, Wood Carving, Buddha Engraving, Woodworking, Urushi (Japanese Lacquer), Makie (Lacquer Design), Metalworking, Bamboo Craft, Japanese Paper Craft, and Kyoto Kimono Hand Dye.
Sat. July 12
12 PM
About the Seminar: Kyoto Maki-e is gorgeous as well as delicate. In Makie, a pattern is drawn with a brush soaked in Urushi lacquer, and then gold or silver powder is sprinkled on top to make it stick.
Hana Ishizeki is a TASK alum and now makes Oigawa Mempa, wooden lunch boxes utilizing traditional techniques. Hana will present how much effort is poured into making a simple but beautiful container and share her love for maki-e.
About the Process: A thinly-sliced wood is bent to form the side of the container… While similar types of this woodworking technique are found throughout Japan, it varies depending on the regions as to which wood is used, how the coating is done, and what people call them. In the Oigawa region, the mountainside of Shizuoka Prefecture, people call such wood containers “Mempa.”
Hinoki cypress trees that grow locally are used for the body. Strips made of the local cherry tree bark are used to stitch together the edges. Kakishibu is used for the undercoat, and Urushi sap for the overcoat.
Oiya is the only place remaining to make this type of wooden lunch boxes exactly the same way as has historically been made, using only natural materials.
Sat. July 12
1 PM
About the Seminar: Enjoy a presentation on kimono basics and fun cultural insights, followed by a demonstration of Frisode (振袖）dressing.
About of Organization: KIMONO ART, based in Seattle and Kobe, is dedicated to sharing the splendor of traditional Japanese kimono culture. With our carefully curated kimono collection and expert dressing techniques, we provide personalized selections that respect each client's individuality and cultural background, helping celebrate life's significant moments, from Shichigosan (children's celebrations) to Coming of Age ceremonies and weddings.
Sat. July 12
2 PM
Advanced Origami How to Fold Fujimoto's Hydrangea
June Hirose - PAPER
おりがみワークショップあじさい折り
ヒロセ・ジュン - PAPER
About the Workshop: Learn how to fold Shuzo Fujimoto's beautiful hydrangea origami. This is a more advanced origami fold that requires basic knowledge of how to fold origami. If you can fold edge to edge, you can do this!
About of Organization: PAPER - Puget Area Paperfolding Enthusiasts Roundtable
Sat. July 12
3 PM
About the Workshop: Arisa Nakamura will explain the basic technique of manga drawing, such as manpu, fukidashi, facial expressions and how to design manga characters. You’ll also have a chance to learn how to use tools to draw and color manga characters.
About the Instructor: Arisa Nakamura is a Seattle-based graphic & manga artist. She was born in Shizuoka, Japan, and moved to the U.S. in 2013 to study Community Design. Her comic series, "Shin Issei Journey" has started in 2019 on North American Post, the oldest Japanese language newspaper published in the Pacific Northwest. She also designs educational materials such as maps, booklets, and exhibition panels. She also worked with the National Park Service to publish the "Bainbridge Island Junior Ranger Booklet." The activity booklet is used to learn the history of the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Sat. July 12
4 PM
About the Workshop: Join us to try out unique kendamas, including 10-linked, 5-linked, and oden-themed kendamas!
Learn tips to improve your skills and challenge yourself with a kendama certification test—pass and receive a certificate!
Be part of connecting the world through the joy of kendama.
About the Instructor: Tatsuya Nishina is a certified 4th-dan Kendama player, Level 2 instructor, and Health Kendama Instructor, affiliated with the Japan Kendama Association. He teaches and performs Kendama at elementary schools and senior facilities, and is qualified to conduct official Kendama skill certifications. He has introduced Kendama and held certification tests on Japanese television. Nishina won the 2021 Shizuoka New Year Kendama Youth Division and served as a judge and recorder at the 2024 All Japan Kendama Championship. He trains under Eiichiro Okawa, a 6th-dan Kendama master and top-level judge for national tournaments.
日本けん玉協会会員
資格 けん玉道四段、二級けん玉指導員、健康けん玉指導員
小学校や高齢者施設でけん玉の指導、パフォーマンスを行う。けん玉の技術がどのくらいか認定できる資格を持つ。日本でけん玉の紹介と認定試験をテレビで行う。
新春けん玉道静岡県大会2021 ユースの部 優勝。今年の5月25日開催の全日本けん玉道選手権で審判、記録係を担う。
師匠 大川英一郎氏 けん玉道六段、A級けん玉指導員（全国大会決勝の審判ができるレベル）
About the Organization: The Japan Kendama Association (JKA) was founded on May 5, 1975, with the mission of preserving and promoting the traditional Japanese skill toy, kendama. Today, as the leading governing body of kendama in Japan and a recognized public interest incorporated association, the JKA represents Japan on the international stage. Its activities focus on spreading and preserving kendama culture and supporting the healthy physical and mental development of people through kendama-related initiatives.
Sun. July 13
10:45 AM
The Fabulous Furoshiki - Japanese Cloth Wrapping Techniques
Lynn Miyauchi - Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
魅せる風呂敷包み ～日本の包みの技～
宮内 リン - 在シアトル日本国総領事館
About the Workshop: Discover the fabulous Japanese art of fabric wrapping! This fun and interactive, hands-on workshop will introduce the knots and techniques for gift wrapping and carrying items of varying sizes and shapes! Learn how you can use the furoshiki, a simple square cloth as a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags and wrapping paper! See how the furoshiki is re-gaining popularity as it evolves and adapts to modern-day applications that we can use in our daily lives! It's time to wrap things up!
About the Organization: The Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle assists Japanese nationals living in Washington, Montana, and Northern Idaho and works together with local communities to promote Japanese culture and facilitate a variety of exchanges. As the official representative of the Government of Japan in this region, the Consulate strives to strengthen bonds of mutual friendship and understanding between Japan and its neighbors in the Northwest.
Sun. July 13
12 PM
About the Seminar: Dylan will talk about the impact of Japan on the game industry, including inspiration by and of western game developers. He will bring some small table-top gaming stations from his collection to allow attendees to try some famous Japanese video games for themselves.
About the Speaker: Building upon his background in computer science and Japanese language, Dylan Rhoads has worked in the interactive entertainment industry for over 20 years, partnering with many Japanese and western videogame companies and earning his M.B.A. from the University of Washington in 2013. As a longtime arcade and console gamer, Dylan experienced Japan’s impact on the game industry firsthand.
Sun. July 13
2 PM
History of the Remembrance Gallery
Eileen Yamada Lamphere, Liz Dunbar, Sharon Sobie Seymour
Puyallup Valley Chapter, Japanese American Citizens League
Greater Kent Historical Society
About the Seminar: This presentation will trace the Issei and the Japanese beliefs that brought them to America, assisted in the incarceration during WWII, and post war rebuilding of their lives. We will show how the Issei and Nisei rebuilt their lives ending with redress and reparations. This workshop will describe how Puyallup Valley JACL Remembrance Gallery acknowledges and honors those imprisoned in Puyallup during WWII, educates the public, creates a legacy, and inspires advocacy today.
About the Organization: The Japanese American Cizitens League began in 1921 in Seattle. It is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. The JACL monitors and responds to issues that enhance or threaten the civil and human rights of all Americans and implements strategies to affect positive social change, particularly to the Asian Pacific American Community.
The Puyallup Valley Chapter is focused on education about incarceration chapter in American history and social justice so mass detention does not happen to any other group of people.
Sun. July 13
3 PM
About the Seminar: During the Edo period, many exceptional swords were gathered under the Tokugawa Shogunate. In this lecture, Tatsuhiko Konno, a professional sword polisher, will showcase real Japanese swords and explore the role they played in the samurai society that lasted for 265 years.
About the Speaker: The eldest son of Sadatsugu Konno, who owned the Konno Architecture Office (a first-class architect firm), he developed an early interest in design and majored in mechanical engineering at Ashibetsu High School. In his senior year, he won a top award in the National Drafting Design Competition and earned a 3rd-dan rank in Kendo.
He entered Kokushikan University by recommendation, where he practiced kendo, iaido, participated in the English Club and student committee. He studied Japanese swordsmithing and polishing under masters Eitaro Akimoto, Yasuhiro Kobayashi, and Akitomo Akimoto.
After graduation, he worked in design at Nihon Parkerizing, handling clients like Japan National Railways and major automakers. In 1972, he moved to Seattle, studied mechanical design at Seattle Central College, and worked for the Seattle City Engineering Department.
Around 1975, he opened a Japanese sword art shop inside Uwajimaya. From 1980–1985, he organized Japanese art exhibitions (swords, armor, prints, etc.) at museums including the WSU Museum and Bellevue Art Museum, supported by federal funding.
He currently runs a Japanese sword and art store in Bellevue while also teaching Kendo and Iaido (both 7th dan Kyoshi) across North and South America as part of the All United States Kendo Federation.
今野貞次の長男。父の一級建築士事務所「今野組」の影響で設計に興味を持ち、芦別高校機械科へ進学。高校3年時に全国設計製図コンクールで特賞受賞。剣道三段。
国士舘大学へ推薦入学。在学中は剣道、居合、英語クラブ、学生実行委員会に参加。秋元永太郎氏、小林康宏氏、秋元昭友刀匠に師事し、日本刀と研磨を学ぶ。卒業後、日本パーカーライジング入社。加工機械課にて設計業務に従事し、国鉄や大手自動車工場を担当。1972年に渡米、Seattle Central Collegeで2年間機械設計を学び、シアトル市エンジニアリング部門で2年勤務。
1975年頃より宇和島屋内に刀剣美術店を開業。1980〜85年、連邦政府の助成によりWSU美術館、ベルビュー美術館等で日本美術展を企画・展示（刀剣、甲冑、版画等）。
現在はベルビューにて美術刀剣店を経営しつつ、米国剣道連盟にて剣道・居合道（共に教士七段）を北米・南米各地で指導。