Cultural Workshops
Below are the workshops for last year’s Japan festival. Until new details are released for 2012, this will remain for historic purposes.
Workshop admittance is on a first come – first serve basis as space is limited. If you desire to attend a workshop or demonstration, please proceed to the workshop or demonstration room prior to the scheduled start time.
General Workshop Schedule |
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| 11:30 & 1:00 | Bonsai Workshop – Ben Oki | Carlsen Center 224 |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Japanese Conversation Workshop – Kazuyo Rumbach | Regnier Center Rm 157 |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Origami Workshop | Regnier Center Rm 183 |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | Introduction to Reading Japanese – Tracie Whiting-Kipper | Regnier Center Rm 157 |
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Calligraphy Workshop | Regnier Center Rm 175 |
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Japanese Garden Design and Maintenance | Regnier Center Rm 185 A&B |
| 2:00 – 3:00 | Japanese Conversation Workshop – Kazuyo Rumbach | Regnier Center Rm 157 |
| 3:00 – 4:30 | Bonsai Demonstration / Workshop | Carlsen Center 224 |
| 3:00 – 4:00 | Origami Workshop | Regnier Center Rm 183 |
| 3:00 – 4:00 | Kanji Made Easy – Tracie Whiting-Kipper | Regnier Center Rm 157 |
| 4:00 – 5:00 | Calligraphy Workshop | Regnier Center Rm 175 |
| 4:00 – 5:00 | Japanese Garden Design and Maintenance | Regnier Center Rm 185 A&B |
| Various | Japanese Cooking Demonstrations | Capfed Rm Regnier Center 224 |
For martial arts workshops and demonstrations, click here.
Musical / Dance Workshop Schedule |
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| 11:00 – 11:45 | Koto Workshop | Recital Hall |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | K-State Yosakoi Dance Workshop | Polsky Theater |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Denver Taiko Workshop | Polsky Theater |
General Workshops
Bonsai Workshop – Ben Oki
Up to 30 participants per session, ages 10 and up
Mr. Ben Oki is the Curator of the Bonsai Collection at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. Mr. Oki is one of the most respected Japanese-American bonsai masters in the world. He travels widely, teaching bonsai through demonstrations, workshops and lectures. He is the recipient of many national and international awards. Mr. Oki also designs and creates Japanese garden throughout the world. He has created several such gardens in the Kansas City area.
Mr. Oki will explain the various types of bonsai styles and will have examples of many of the types in the workshop. He will demonstrate the process of creating a bonsai from raw plant material.
Calligraphy Workshop – Midori Harbison
Up to 25 participants per session
Try your hand at writing Japanese characters with a brush and ink under Mrs. Harbison’s direction.
Japanese Conversation Workshop – Kazuyo Rumbach
Up to 30 participants per session (Age 13 and over)
Attend a Japanese language workshop to learn about the Japanese language and with the aid of the instructor learn some basics of the language. This workshop is for those who are interested in Japanese language, and no previous knowledge of the language is required. You will learn the basic words, every day greetings and writing systems.
Introduction to Reading Japanese
Come to this workshop and venture into the world of written Japanese whether you are a student or just curious.
Explore the different writing systems, how they came to be, and fast methods to learning them. This session is conducted by Tracie L. Whiting Kipper who is the Japanese Language and Culture Lecturer at the Kansas City Art Institute and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Central Missouri.
Kanji Made Easy
3 p.m. Up to 30 Participants per session (Age 13 and over)
Is it possible to learn to read kanji in less than a year? Try out the Heisig method of Kanji acquisition in this fast paced and fun session while exploring the written word from authentic sources. True beginners and seasoned students will all find ways to expand their reading levels from average to extraordinary.
This session is conducted by Tracie L. Whiting Kipper who is the Japanese Language and Culture Lecturer at the Kansas City Art Institute and Adjunct Instructor at the University of Central Missouri.Parts of her new workbook will be used in this session.
Origami Workshop: “Cootie Catcher” — Nancy Bjorge
3 p.m. Up to 20 participants per session. In this workshop you will learn how to fold a “Cootie Catcher” and Ms. Bjorge will show you how she developed this piece of Origami into her design of towers. Each attendee will receive an origami kit. The sessions include a 10 minute video introducing Ms. Bjorge’s work. Suggested for children ages 10 and up as well as teachers and others interested in origami.
Origami Workshop: “Tulip Flower” — Nancy Bjorge
12 p.m. Up to 20 participants per session. In this workshop you will learn how to fold a “Tulip Flower” and Ms. Bjorge will show you how she uses this fold and design into a unique necklace. Each attendee will receive an origami kit. The sessions include a 10 minute video introducing Ms. Bjorge’s work. Suggested for children ages 10 and up as well as teachers and others interested in origami.
Japanese Garden Design and Maintenance – Koji Morimoto
Up to 25 participants per session, ages 10 and up. Hear Japanese garden master Koji Morimoto talk about the principles of Japanese Garden Design and Maintenance. The presentation starts in the classroom and then attendees will move outside for a hands-on demonstration on how to prune a pine in your yard to keep it beautiful, and to keep it from getting overgrown. It is easier that you might think as Mr. Morimoto will show you.
Japanese Cooking Demonstrations – Chefs from Local Japanese Restaurants
At various times during the day at the Japanese Food service area in the Cap Fed Room in the Regnier Center. Listen as some of the best sushi chefs in the Kansas City area discuss how to make various Japanese food items. Learn how to prepare some of the most common Japanese dishes from masters.
Musical Workshops
Musical lecture / demonstration / workshop admittance is on a first come – first serve basis, so please proceed to the assigned room prior to the scheduled start time. Following is a list of Musical presentations / demonstrations / workshops, times and rooms.
Taiko Drum Workshop – Denver Taiko
Learn all about Taiko drumming from the experts, members of Denver Taiko. This is a hands-on workshop for those wanting to learn the basics of Taiko drumming.
Koto Workshop – Addie Mehl
Ms. Mehl currently resides in Lawrence, Kansas. She has done a number of performances and workshops in Lawrence and at KU. Come and learn how to play the Koto, a unique Japanese stringed instrument.
Yosakoi Dance Workshop – The K-State Yosakoi Dance Group
Aerobic dance moves based on Japanese folk dances with jazzed up Japanese music. It is fun, it is energizing and it burns calories. Join members of the K-State Yosakoi group and become a fan of this wonderful and popular dance form.
