Support for Teachers in the UK

Club Taishikan Programme

Club Taishikan is an educational programme organised by the Embassy's Japan Information and Cultural Centre (JICC), aimed at introducing various aspects of Japan to young people.
 

Experience Club Taishikan

School groups of 30 or less are welcomed to the Embassy for cultural workshops and to learn more about Japan. The visit lasts approximately 2 hours and involves a slide show on life in Japan and two workshops (typically calligraphy, yosakoi, or origami).

Visits are normally held on Thursday afternoons. Activities are recommended for students over 10 years of age. An example of the usual schedule is as follows:

Club Taishikan Workshops

Calligraphy

Students are introduced to the Japanese writing system and then shown how to write Japanese characters. Students are encouraged to take their work home with them to display at school.



Yosakoi

This workshop introduces Yosakoi, a modern Japanese dance which has become very popular in Japan in recent years with hundreds of groups across the country. Students will learn a short dance, using naruko and wearing a traditional Happi coat.



Origami

Many students have done some form of Origami before, so every effort is made to introduce them to new shapes. All students are taken carefully through each stage of paper folding until they have made an authentic shape. Again students are encouraged to take home their work to display at school.
 

How to take part in Club Taishikan

Due to its popularity, those wishing to involve their schools in the programme are asked to reserve a visit well in advance. Please note that it may not be possible to accept every application. We also request that schools limit participation to students who have not previously taken part.

Club Taishikan normally take place on Thursday afternoons from 2.00pm, for approximately 2 hours. Should you wish to request a visit to the Embassy, please complete our visit request form which can be downloaded below.

Contact Details

Coordinator for Club Taishikan
JICC, Embassy of Japan
101-104 Piccadilly, London
W1J 7JT

education@ld.mofa.go.jp