Cherry Blossoms faux stained-glass installation at Kaia, The Ned London

Bokashi technique film, Hiroshige artist of the open road at the British Museum

Original print work commissioned by the British Museum for Bokashi technique filming

from the film by the Royal Collection Trust

Latest News

View All News

15 December 2025 (6 - 9pm)

Christmas Market at the King’s School of Traditional Arts

On Monday, 15 December, the School of Traditional Arts invites you to our Christmas Market, featuring the talents of our students, alumni, and staff. Explore and shop for:
- Unique artworks
- Handmade craft
- Artist supplies
- Prints
- Books
Find the perfect gift for yourself or someone special, and celebrate the season with creativity and community!
📍 Location: 19 - 22 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG
🕖 Time: 18:00 - 21:00

1 April - 20 December 2025

In Bloom exhibition at the Museum of East Asian Art in Bath

Discover how flowers have inspired generations of artists across East and Southeast Asia through a display of floral-themed objects from the Museum’s collection, shown alongside the work of contemporary artists and makers.

Hiroko Imada’s cherry blossom forest installation “Sakura Saku” 桜咲くthat was presented last year at Watts Gallery in Guilford is now presented at MEAA as a centre piece of the exhibition.

29 June – 3 July 2026 (10:30am - 4:30pm)

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking in Colour: Bokashi

Create a woodblock print in colour, inspired by the work of master printmaker – Utagawa Hiroshige.

Learn how Hiroshige applied the bokashi (gradation) technique in his prints, and then use his work as inspiration to design your own block that incorporates the bokashi technique effectively.

During the course, students will learn a step-by-step process for creating colour woodblock print with a subtle gradation of tone or multiple colours.

As well as producing a print, students will learn how to use and look after their tools, brushes and papers in detail, and to produce their own prints independently after the course has ended.

Lastly, students will also have the chance to see the blocks and prints used for bokashi technique film presented at Hiroshige: artist of the open road exhibition at the British Museum in 2025 with the artist’s explanation.

Please plan to attend the full duration of each day of the course, as new topics will be introduced daily.

1 April – 20 May 2026 (18:30 - 20:30, 8 Wednesdays)

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking: Shōsōin Patterns in Colour

This course will take inspiration from the patterns that decorate textiles found in the Shōsōin, with an opportunity to develop a design that takes inspiration from your own culture.

In this course, students will learn how to incorporate colour into their designs, creating compositions suitable for colour woodblock printing.

You will follow a step-by-step process for producing a colour woodblock print, including mastering the Japanese registration technique (Kento). In addition to creating a print, the course covers detailed guidance on using and caring for tools, brushes, and papers. By the end, students will have the skills and confidence to produce their own prints independently.

Pre-requisite: You must have previously completed the Japanese Woodblock Printmaking (Black and White) course at the School before enrolling in this course.

21 January - 18 March 2026 (18:30 - 20:30, 8 Wednesdays)

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking: Shōsōin Patterns

The Shōsōin is a remarkable time capsule of a building, preserving thousands of artifacts that reveal Nara, Japan’s role at the eastern edge of the Silk Road. From Buddhist devotional items and intricate jewelry to richly woven textiles, these treasures reflect a vibrant blend of cultural influences —from China and Korea to Persia and the Mediterranean—showcasing the global connections that shaped Japan’s history.

This course will take inspiration from the patterns that decorate textiles found in the Shōsōin, from Chinese style phoenixes, to Persianesque hunting scenes.

Students will learn a step-by-step process for creating a black and white woodblock print. As well as producing a print, students will learn how to use and look after their tools, brushes and papers in detail, and to produce their own prints independently after the course has ended. An absolute prerequisite to learning printmaking in colour.

6 December 2025 (2:30 - 5:30pm)

Japanese Woodblock Workshop with Hiroko Imada

Learn about woodcut printing with artist Hiroko Imada at MEAA this December. Working with Hiroko, the creator of Sakura Saku in our In Bloom exhibition, you will be led through designing, carving, and printing your own woodblocks. By the end of the workshop, you will have your own beautiful creation to display in your home! Only 8 places available.

Hiroko Imada studied at the Slade in printmaking and specialises in teaching Japanese Woodblock Printing, so you will be in expert hands.

2 November 2025

BBC Radio 3 Sunday Morning

The presenter of BBC Radio 3 Sunday Morning, Sarah Walker mentioned about Imada’s installation work ‘Sakura Saku’ as an introduction of Toru Takemitsu’s music ‘Cherry Blossoms’ (Version for Mixed Choir).

Sarah mentioned:

When Petroc was presenting Sunday morning last weekend, I spent my time off in the city of Bath and I visited the Museum of East Asian Art where they have this wonderful exhibition focusing on flowers in art. It’s called In Bloom and it was absolutely entrancing. There was art from ancient Chinese dynasties, new work from Korea and Japan. I really loved Hiroko Imada’s Cherry Blossom forest installation, Sakura Saku.

All these delicate hanging panels with impressions of pink blossom and the light in that room was gently diffused. It was all pink, just beautiful light standing under a cherry tree. So here’s my Sunday sequence for this week. It’s inspired by this floral theme and starting with Takemitsu and his choral setting of the traditional Japanese melody Cherry Blossoms.

1h23:09 - 1min

1 - 4pm, Sat 29 & Sun 30 November 2025

Woodblock Workshop with Hiroko Imada at Japan Society, 29 or 30 November

As the year winds down, why not welcome the new year with a personal touch? Join us for a unique opportunity to design your own New Year’s greeting card using the traditional art of Japanese woodblock printing.

After a fantastic series of workshops since 2023, The Japan Society is thrilled to host our final woodblock printing sessions of the year on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November 2025. Led by celebrated London-based artist Hiroko Imada, these workshops have consistently sold out—so early booking is highly recommended.

This half-day introductory course will guide you through the fundamentals of moku-hanga, a traditional Japanese relief printing technique. Unlike many printmaking methods, moku-hanga is printed by hand using a baren and water-based inks, creating delicate and expressive prints.

Participants will learn how to:

Create an original design

Carve their own woodblock

Print in black and white on Japanese paper

You will be asked to think of your design in advance, so please come with a simple idea or sketch to help you get started. For inspiration, you might consider incorporating themes from the zodiac - 2026 is the Year of the Horse, which could make a striking and symbolic New Year’s print.

No prior experience is needed—just bring your creativity!

31 March - 31 May 2025

Cherry Blossoms faux stained-glass installation @Kaia, The Ned London

Kaia, the Ned’s Japanese restaurant welcomes the beauty of cherry blossoms for the annual Sakura Season, featuring a faux stained-glass installation by renowned artist Hiroko Imada, cocktails which celebrate Japanese artistry and nature using House of Suntory spirits and a special dessert crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Darian Smidt. These seasonal specials will be served in Kaia until 29 June.

As the largest piece of art housed at The Ned, Hiroko has created a stained-glass inspired window that mirrors the delicate and ever-changing nature of the flowers. Drawing on the aesthetics of traditional ukiyo-e prints and a soft, vibrant pink palette, her work captures the beauty of the blossoms with an abstract lens.

Jack Cohn, F&B Director of The Ned, comments: "For the first time in over 100 years, our windows are the centre of attention for Cherry Blossom season. The faux stained-glass installation will fill the atrium of Kaia with a beautiful light, bringing to life one of the most cherished seasons in Japanese culture. We invite our guests to bask in the creative artistry while enjoying expertly crafted drinks featuring The House of Suntory spirits and a dessert inspired by the season”

Imada comments “The high ceilings and beautiful window frames at The Ned reminded me of gazing out of my living room window as a child - which instantly inspired my vision. Cherry blossoms have always had a special emotional attachment to me, and taking inspiration from Roku Gin’s delicate Spring botanicals such as Sakura flower and Sakura leaf, it combined to make this art piece.”

6 March &24 April 2025

Japanese Woodblock Printmkaing Workshop for KS4 &KS5 at the British Museum

Working with Japanese born, London based artist Hiroko Imada, this practical workshop draws on the British Museum's wide collection of Japanese prints for inspiration.

Working directly with Hiroko all day in our art studio and galleries, she will guide students through working with traditional materials and share her knowledge, passion and expertise in Japanese print making (Opens in new window). Students will design, cut and print their own woodblocks using traditional techniques inspired by objects from the Museum’s collection. All materials are provided.

Ages: 14–18 (KS4 and KS5)

Curriculum links: Art and Design

Maximum group size: 15

Session time: 10.30–14.30

27 September 2024

UCL NEWS: Blossoms of Tradition and Modernity: Hiroko Imada at the Watts Gallery

UCL VPEE Student Journalism Scheme student Caroline Coyer visits the Edo Pop: Japanese Prints 1825-1895 exhibition at Watts Gallery to explore the work of Slade alumna Hiroko Imada.