What's On

Originally, the Japanese tea ceremony (sado) was simply the practice of preparing and enjoying tea (chanoyu), but it evolved into a unique discipline that emphasised spiritual cultivation and aesthetic refinement. The form of chanoyu perfected by master Sen no Rikyu involved a small group of close acquaintances gathering in an intimate tea room to share food, sake, and tea while engaging in discussions about art and culture removed from worldly concerns. During the era of civil war, this practice aimed to rebuild human bonds that transcended social status.

In the 17th century, with the restoration of peace, samurai tea masters such as FURUTA Oribe and KOBORI Enshu brought significant changes and diversification to architecture, gardens, and tea utensils such as ceramics, and both the boldness and the refined elegance of their styles continue to be cherished by many today.

Together with the Japan Society, we are delighted to present a fascinating talk featuring KOZU Asao, a cultural historian specialising in the history of the tea ceremony, who will explore the evolution of chanoyu across three generations - Rikyu, Oribe, and Enshu - linked by a lineage of master and disciple.

This event is now fully booked; tickets are returns only.
Click here to join the waitlist on the Japan Society website.

In partnership with The Garden Cinema, we're excited to bring you a rare opportunity to see some of the best independent Japanese animation in recent years on the big screen, featuring an introduction from programme curator Alex Dudok de Wit!

Anime is a global phenomenon. But there is much more to Japanese animation than the franchises and studio productions that get the lion’s share of attention. Filmmakers working independently, sometimes almost alone, are creating some of the wildest, most beautiful animation out there, as they experiment with artistic techniques and ways of telling stories.

Clay waves that speak poetry, pointillist landscapes bursting with colour, a candid documentary about periods, an absurdist conspiracy thriller about small people with hats: the short films in this programme, all made by Japanese directors in the past 12 years, cover a dizzying range of styles and narratives.

Tickets for Tuesday 8 July are now sold out.
To book your ticket for Wednesday 9 July,
click here to visit The Garden Cinema website.

This July, we're delighted to bring you an enthralling one-off concert that blends KAWAI Ikuko's globally acclaimed, refined brand of classical violin performance with traditional Japanese accompaniment courtesy of shakuhachi player KOMINATO Akihisa and hand drum player MOCHIZUKI Satasuke.

Set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of London's majestic Actors' Church, the trio will perform a variety of pieces, including KAWAI's original compositions that have enchanted audiences the world over.

Make sure you don't miss this phenomenal fusion of Western classical and Japanese traditional music!

This concert is now fully booked; tickets are returns only.
Click here to join the waitlist on the Actors' Church website.

Step into the world of Kabuki with six stunning kimonos worn by the legendary actor BANDO Tamasaburo V, known for his renowned onnagata roles (male actor who performs female roles). Experience the intricate artistry of these garments, highlighting a diverse range of complex textile techniques, encompassing weaving, dyeing, embroidery, and hand-painting. We are delighted to collaborate with the Ashmolean Museum.

Date: 14 December 2024 - 9 November 2025

Venue: The Ashmolean Museum

Click here for details

We're proud to support the Southbank Centre's Hayward Gallery as they present the largest ever European retrospective of the works of NARA Yoshitomo.

Known primarily for his powerful portraits, but also working across a variety of media, NARA's work explores themes including resistance, isolation, freedom, and spirituality. This new London exhibition promises to reveal a variety of enduring influences on this work, ranging from nature and mythology to punk music and popular culture.