Tag Archive for: Japanese traditions

Exclusive Sake Tasting Workshop together with Yamamori | PHOTO GALLERY

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We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us on Thursday, April 10th for the exclusive Sake Tasting Workshop, hosted in collaboration with our 2025 Patron Member – Yamamori.

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Held at the beautiful Yamamori North City / Tengu, the evening was a true celebration of Japanese culture, springtime, and community spirit. The event brought together both IJA members and non-members for a unique blend of networking and cultural exploration through the world of Japanese sake.

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A very special thank you goes to our guest speaker, Sake Sommelier Sarika Seki Hussey, whose expertise, passion, and warm personality guided us through a curated selection of premium Japanese sake. Each sake was thoughtfully paired with delicious bites crafted by the talented Yamamori team, making the tasting not only educational but truly memorable.

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We are also immensely grateful to our event co-hosts and partners at Yamamori, who are celebrating a remarkable 30 years in business this year. This workshop was just one of the many exciting events planned to mark their anniversary, and we are incredibly proud to have them as our IJA Patron Member in 2025.

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Events like this are a wonderful reminder of the strong bonds between Japan and Ireland, and we are delighted to be able to bring people together to share experiences, knowledge, and of course – fantastic food and drink!

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We look forward to seeing you at our next event! Arigatou gozaimasu & Sláinte!

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Photos: Yamamori & Eddie Hughes, IJA Council

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Join the celebrations at the Experience Japan Festival on Sunday, 27th April!

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The Experience Japan Festival will be returning to the picturesque surroundings of Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park on Sunday, 27th April 2025.
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All IJA members are warmly invited to attend this vibrant, family-friendly event celebrating the rich cultural connection between Japan and Ireland. This year’s festival will showcase a special cultural programme highlighting three unique regions of Japan: Okinawa, Chichibu, and Miake.
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Date: Sunday, 27th April 2025
Time: 12 – 4 PM
Venue: Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin
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This year’s programme is packed with amazing events for everyone! 
  • Get ready to be dazzled by Irish and Japanese music and dance performances on the Main Stage.
  • Enjoy delicious treats offered by Japanese food vendors at the Food Court, from sweets to savoury. Of course, expect some classic options as well!
  • Demonstrations from a mixture of martial arts which originated in Japan, and are practised here in Ireland.
  • Enjoy a Treasure Hunt aimed at children or a more challenging Scavenger Hunt for adults!
  • Take a tour of traditional Japanese crafts which have found a home in Ireland. Why not enjoy a calligraphy workshop and write your name in ink?
  • The Festival’s tradition of reading haiku and poetry under the cherry blossom continues this year.
  • Visit ‘Japanese Gaeltacht’ – a dedicated area in the Pleasure Gardens for practising your Japanese language skills, and meeting new friends!
  • Cosplay Showcase: an opportunity to see many cosplayers all in one place!
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Join us in the beautiful grounds of Farmleigh House to witness performances, demonstrations, seminars, and traditions both old and in the making! All events are free and everybody is welcome!
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How to get there?
The Hanami Festival 2025 is located in Farmleigh House, at the back of Phoenix Park, Dublin.
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For more information:
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Create Your 2025: Japanese Calligraphy Workshop | PHOTOS

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We are thankful to everyone who joined us for the ‘Create Your 2025: New Year Japanese Calligraphy Workshop’ with the wonderful artist, educator, and writer Azumi Uchitani. Hosted in collaboration with ElectroRoute, this unique event was an inspiring way to welcome the new year with creativity, mindfulness, and intention.

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This special workshop guided participants through the art of Japanese calligraphy, blending meditation and mindful practice to align body, mind, and spirit. Under Azumi’s expert instruction, we explored the theme of NAGARE (流) – FLOW, creating a Kanji symbol together to serve as an anchor for the year ahead.

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Through a beautifully structured session, participants:

  • Engaged in guided meditation to center themselves.
  • Practiced posture correction and warm-up exercises to master brush strokes with flow and precision.
  • Created their Kanji symbol and crafted their final piece on exquisite handcrafted cotton paper, making a lasting visual representation of their 2025 intentions.

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A heartfelt thank you to all participants for bringing their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to this experience and we hope that your Kanji symbol serves as a meaningful reminder throughout the year.

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A special thank you to Azumi Uchitani for her wisdom, guidance, and signature method, making this workshop accessible and enriching for all. Her ability to blend tradition with personal expression left a lasting impression on everyone present.

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Finally, our thanks goes to ElectroRoute team for their incredible support in making this event a success and being fantastic hosts as always.

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We look forward to welcoming you to more events this year that encourage self-expression, growth, and connection.

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Read more about the workshop details on Azumi Uchitani’s website: https://www.azumiuchitani.com/create-2025-japanese-calligraphy-dublin/

Photos: Azumi Uchitani, Kevin O’Neill

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IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party 2024 | PHOTO GALLERY

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The IJA Council would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the annual IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party on 28th November at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake in Dublin. Your presence truly made the evening special, and we hope you enjoyed celebrating the culmination of this year’s hard work.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, warmly welcomed event guests and initiated the festivities with a traditional Japanese Kanpai toast.

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We would like to express our deepest appreciation to H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and IJA Patron, for honouring us with his presence and delivering a heartfelt farewell message as he concludes his service in Ireland and prepares to return to Japan.

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Our sincere thanks also go to the IJA event team and our exceptional hosts at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake for their warm hospitality and for ensuring the event was a resounding success.

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Here’s to creating more wonderful memories together in the future!

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Photos: Eddie Hughes & Miyu Ishikawa

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Ikebana Autumn Workshops with Tomoko Sempo Yanagi | PHOTO GALLERY

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We had a wonderful time at the Ikebana Autumn Workshops in October, diving into the beautiful world of Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging and learning from the esteemed Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, Professor of Ikenobo Ikebana Society and Chairperson of Ikenobo Ikebana UK & Ireland Group.

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We would like to thank Tomoko san for her expertise, passion, and guidance throughout the workshops, and all the participants who joined us in celebrating and exploring Japanese culture during this seasonal event. It was a weekend filled with inspiration, education, and new connections.
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A special thanks to Pauline and the team at the Warrenmount Education Centre in Dublin for the warm welcome and for providing a comfortable space for us all to learn and create.
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About Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
Tomoko Sempo Yanagi is a president of Ikenobo UK and Ireland Group and holds professor status with the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. Experienced in Ikebana since childhood. Her first public Ikebana demonstration was in California in 1989. After she moved to the UK in 1998, she exhibited her Ikebana works and conducted workshops at various places and occasions including The Embassy of Japan, Hammersmith and Fulham Flower Show, Google European HQ (Dublin), Cisco Poland, Flower Council of Holland, and a range of secondary schools in London. She was awarded a bronze medal at the Royal Horticultural Society, London Flower Show in 2001. Educated and lived in Japan, the US and the UK, she is also a mother of Irish/Japanese boys.
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Photos: Archive of Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
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Experience Japan 2024 | Join the celebrations of Hanami Festival!

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Experience Japan festival will be returning to the wonderful Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, Dublin on Sunday, 28th April 12 – 4 PM.
Hanami Festival is a free, family-friendly day out where you can enjoy and celebrate Japanese – Irish culture!
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Join us in the beautiful grounds of Farmleigh House to witness performances, demonstrations, seminars, and traditions both old and in the making! All events are free and everybody is welcome!
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This year’s programme is packed with amazing events for everyone! 
  • Get ready to be dazzled by a mixture of Irish and Japanese music and dance performances.
  • A mixture of Japanese food vendors, from sweets to savoury. Of course, expect some classic options as well!
  • Demonstrations from a mixture of styles which originated in Japan, and are practised here in Ireland!
  • Enjoy a Treasure Hunt aimed at children or a more challenging Scavenger Hunt for adults!
  • Take a tour of traditional Japanese crafts which have found a home in Ireland.
  • Our tradition of reading verse under the cherry blossom continues this year.
  • A dedicated area in the Pleasure Gardens for practising your Japanese language skills, and meeting new friends!
  • An opportunity to see our many cosplayers all in one place! Taking place on the Martial Arts stage.

Please note that as a community festival, organisers cannot guarantee all activities and persons will be available on the day.

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HOW TO GET THERE?

The Hanami Festival 2024 is located in Farmleigh House, at the back of Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Please visit Experience Japan website for more details!

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Follow Experience Japan for more updates and news!
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Summer Ikebana Workshop | PHOTO GALLERY

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To celebrate summer and all the beautiful seasonal flowers, the IJA Council organised a beautiful, seasonal Summer Ikebana Workshop for our members. The workshop was presented by the IJA member and Ikebana instructor Mrs. Tomoko Ozaki on 26th August.

 

Workshop participants had a unique opportunity to learn about Ikebana traditions and principles, make their own Ikebana arrangement and change the way how they think about floral displays. We would like to thank everyone who attended this event and hope it was a great experience and learning opportunity for everyone.

A wonderful surprise for our workshop participants was the visit by H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and Ms. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland.

 

 

We would like to thank Eva Reavley, IJA Council, for all her work and support to make this event such a success, and our event hosts – Oomi Travel – for welcoming us at their cosy and beautiful office, and looking after us during this event, and Gopan Bakery for very tasty Japanese baked treats.

 

Join Japanese Summer Fest celebrations this summer!

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Mark your calendars and gather your friends and family for a day filled with Japanese cultural delights at the Japanese Summer Fest. Whether you’re a Japan enthusiast, a food lover, or simply curious about other cultures, this festival promises an unforgettable experience.

Experience the vibrant summer traditions and rich cultural heritage of Japan right here in Ireland!

Date: Saturday, 1st July 2023
Time: 12 – 4 PM
Venue: Cherrytree Pub, Walkinstown Cross, Walkinstown, Dublin 12, D12 EY19
Admission: FREE / Please note that there may be a charge for some activities.

 

 

Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich traditions and cultural delights of Japan with a plethora of exciting activities!

Mouthwatering Japanese Cuisine
Savor the delicious flavors of Japan with a selection of authentic Japanese dishes. We have carefully curated a menu featuring a few tantalizing Japanese delicacies that will transport your taste buds to Japan. Don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in the flavors of Japan!

Bon Odori (盆踊り) – Traditional Japanese Dance
Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as we celebrate Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese dance performed during the summer festival season. Join the spirited circle dance with fellow festival-goers. Let the rhythm of the music guide your steps and experience the joy of this cultural tradition.

Origami and Calligraphy Workshop
Discover the beauty of Japanese art forms through our origami and calligraphy workshop. Learn the art of folding intricate origami designs and master the graceful strokes of calligraphy. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the process.

Tanabata – Make Your Wishes Come True
Participate in the enchanting Tanabata celebration, where you can write your wishes on colorful strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches. Feel the magic in the air as the festival brings together people’s hopes and dreams, creating a tapestry of aspirations.

Sushi Demonstration
Ever wondered how to create perfect sushi rolls? Attend our sushi demonstration and watch as our skilled sushi chefs unveil the artistry behind this beloved Japanese culinary delight. Learn the techniques, appreciate the precision, and gain insights into the world of sushi-making.

Suikawari – Watermelon Splitting Game
Cool down with a fun and refreshing game of Suikawari, a traditional Japanese activity where participants are blindfolded and attempt to split a watermelon with a stick. Unleash your inner competitor and see if you can strike the sweet spot!

Japanese Language Theatre – Ordinary People 普通の人々
Be captivated by the magic of Japanese language theatre as talented performers take the stage to showcase traditional and contemporary plays. Let the expressive gestures and melodious tones transport you to the world of Japanese drama and storytelling. Please book a ticket here!

 

For more information and event programme:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/japanese-summer-fest-in-cherrytree-pub-tickets-649911963177

Japanese Calligraphy Workshop 2023 | Photo Gallery

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On 22nd April, the IJA organised Japanese Calligraphy Workshop together with artist, educator and writer Azumi Uchitani. Participants were invited to learn the ancient wisdom and value of Japanese symbols, unplug from every day’s hustles and bustles, and experience a ritual with a brush and ink on paper.
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During the workshop everyone had a chance to learn basic principles and techniques of calligraphy, including different brush strokes, practice body movements and mindful meditation, as well as practice calligraphy and create their own calligraphy art.
Huge thanks to our inspiring teacher Azumi san for bringing everyone on a mindful journey to discover this very unique and wonderful part of Japanese culture, and sharing her knowledge, skills and passion! Calligraphy workshop was followed by a tea & coffee break, and wonderful musical performance on violin by Kevin O’Neill.
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Our event was hosted by ElectroRoute, IJA Patron member, and we would like to thank our hosts for welcoming us and looking after everyone on the day.
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(Click on the images to enlarge!)

Ikebana Workshops in Dublin | PHOTO GALLERY

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On 29th October we welcomed our good friend Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, Professor of Ikenobo Ikebana Society and Chairperson of Ikenobo UK and Ireland Group to Dublin for two in-person Ikebana Workshops at the Warrenmount Community Education Centre.

We would like to thank everyone who joined Ikebana workshops, and we are delighted that so many people had an amazing opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of the beautiful and delicate Ikebana flower arranging art together with Ikebana master Tomoko Sempo Yanagi.

Huge thanks to Tomoko san for sharing her passion for Ikebana with all the participants, and inspiring everyone to discover more about this unique and beautiful part of Japanese culture. During the workshop participants created their own Ikebana arrangements using seasonal flowers and plants.

We also would like to thank Warrenmount Community Education Centre and Pauline McGaley for hosting our event, welcoming everyone at the venue and looking after us on the day!

Photos: Raymond Hegarty and Eddie Hughes

Tag Archive for: Japanese traditions

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