Japan Life Event

The Budokwai

Europe’s Oldest & Most Prestigious Judo and Martial Arts Club
Established 1918

The Budokwai began as a Judo club and still offers Judo classes throughout the week. We also offer regular Martial Arts classes in Shotokan Karate, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu and Aikido as well as Hontai Yoshin Ryu Ju-Jitsu and Pilates. Our Martial Arts instructors are all highly qualified, experienced and able to offer a range of coaching and instruction for the complete novice through to Olympic standard. Beginners are carefully taught techniques most suited to their ability and proceed up the grades towards the much-coveted Dan grade and Black Belt. The junior Martial Arts instructors are of the same high standard and the children’s Judo classes & Karate classes attract a great number of youngsters every week.

Koshu Japanese Art

Koshu is the identity of Akemi Lucas as a Japanese Calligraphy master. She was born in Japan and started learning calligraphy from the age of eight. Her distinct style of calligraphy builds on traditional skills, and further embodies the fusion of the ancient and the modern, the eastern and the western, and the before and the after. Currently, she is based in the UK as a Japanese artist, predominantly working on exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops and commissions. Her artworks are now seen and loved internationally.

Select Japan

Select Japan showcases wonderful and enchanting items hand made by skilled Japanese craftsmen, to suit you or your loved ones.

Sogetsu School of Ikebana
London Branch

Sogetsu is one of ikebana’s modern schools, encouraging freedom of expression in its creation. It was formed in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara and is now headed by Iemoto Akane Teshigahara. The Sogetsu School of Ikebana – London Branch was formed by Mrs Ikuyo Morrison in 2007 and has its headquarter in Tokyo, Japan. Sogetsu welcomes anyone to learn this very intriguing art: it challenges you to use the foundation of basic rules and techniques found in ikebana to express yourself, while allowing the arrangement to be an extension of you.

Please visit our website for more information on learning sogetsu and have a look at some images of our members’ work.

Japanese Glass

Japanese Glass specialises in contemporary Japanese Glass. At present we represent over 30 Japanese glass artists living and working in Japan. All pieces are handmade, carefully curated and sourced directly from the artists.

Koto Player

Sakie Plunkett

Sakie Plunkett was born in Aichi, Japan, and started learning the koto when she was six years old, in the ‘Ikuta-ryu’ style. Sakie obtained a license to teach in Japan, continued playing after moving to the UK, and has performed at many venues and events over the years.

Arai Academy

Arai Academy of Japanese Studies provides language and cultural education through interactions with the natives.

Our mission is to contribute to equip more global minded attitudes in the globalising societies. The Academy helps students to become more aware of the feelings that lie behind Japanese expressions. As a result, they start speaking Japanese more naturally.

Our lessons are student oriented with extensive learning support. These are designed for student’s personal needs and learning style with a lively atmosphere and a full of conversation practice.

Our students can attend monthly cultural exchange event with the natives (free entry) and a study group about Japan (with discount).

We wish more people enjoy global connections and we all create the world peace.