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

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24 August - 2 November 2026 (Open weekdays, 09.30am to 5:30pm Closed weekends and 25 May & 20 July)

JAPAN: BETWEEN THE OCEAN & THE SEAS

Japan: Between the ocean & the seas

Exploring Japan’s identity, culture, and history through its surrounding waters

Surrounded entirely by the sea, Japan has interwoven its history and culture with the ocean.  For an island country, the sea has functioned as a continuous force impacting Japan’s connection to the world, its daily life, and the pioneering development of its industries. 

This exhibition explores how the seas and ocean of Japan have shaped the country from its early days to the modern era. Moving from mythological origins and coastal daily life to global overseas connections and modern pop culture, it presents a nation defined by its surrounding waters. 

Walking through the exhibition, visitors will witness the dual nature of the ocean as both a protective barrier and an open highway, as the exhibition traces how the nation's relationship with the sea is woven into traditional stories, current policies, crafts, and fine art.

Free admission (Photo ID required)

Whether you are booking in advance or visiting as a walk-in, please check our Eventbrite page for the exhibition opening dates and times before your visit. If a date or time is not shown on the Eventbrite page, the exhibition room is closed.

12 – 16 April 2027 (10:30 - 16:30)

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking: Make a Hanging Scroll

This is a rare chance to learn about Japanese hanging scrolls and woodblock prints. Students will learn hanging scroll making in parallel with woodblock printing.

Students will learn a step-by-step process for creating a black and white woodblock print, how to use and look after their tools, brushes and papers in detail, and how to produce their own prints independently after the course has ended. One of the prints will be mounted in order to attach it to a hanging scroll, so students also learn how to mount their artworks on paper.

Students will have a go at preparing a hanging scroll before mounting their print, and during the process, they will learn how to attach bars to the cloth, how to use brushes for pasting in details.

13 February – 31 March 2027 (18:30 - 20:30, 8 Wednesdays)

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking in Colour

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 in Black & White course at the School before enrolling in this course.

9th October 2026 - 11th October 2026

Japanese Woodblock Printing

This is an introduction course for Japanese woodblock printing and it is designed to be suitable for absolute beginners.

The traditional Japanese prints such as Hokusai or Hiroshige's works are created in the same way. You will design your own block, carve and print. During the workshop, you will learn how to create the registration mark, how to use tools and how to use Baren (printing tool) to make a print.

At a Glance

A chance to engage in creativity and mindfulness

Learn about designs based on Traditional Japanese patterns

Instructed by an experienced artist

Location of outstanding natural beauty

Enjoy delicious meals and refreshments

What You Will Gain

Learn about water-based woodblock printing technique

Learn how to use tools

How to carve the registration marks to register your print

Feeling confident to create your own prints at home

30 September- 25 November 2026 (6:30 - 8:30 pm, 8 Wednesdays)

Japanese Woodblock Printmaking in Black & White

Study master examples of Japanese woodblock printing before making your own black and white print. This is an introductory course for those who would like to start Japanese woodblock printing.

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.

Please note attending this course is a pre-requisite for attending Japanese Woodblock Printmaking in Colour.

11 May - 28 July 2026 (Open weekdays, 09.30am to 5:30pm Closed weekends and 25 May & 20 July)

Washi: The Artistic Sprit of Japanese Paper at the Gallery at the Embassy of Japan, London

Small scale of ‘Sakura Saku’ installation work and 2 woodblock prints used for creating films for Hokusai (2021) and Hiroshige (2025) exhibitions at the British Museum on display.

Washi (和紙, ‘Japanese paper’) is highly regarded for its strength, versatility and beauty. These attributes have given it a central role in the domestic, religious and artistic life of Japan for over 1400 years, and seen paper take pride of place in temples and shrines, in palaces and homes, and in schools and workplaces.

While the origins of papermaking was primarily associated with religious and administrative uses, washi has evolved to become more than just a mere surface for artistic expresson and is used in paper screens, lanterns, umbrellas and even as an important resource for conservation.

This exhibition aims to prove tThis exhibition aims to prove that there still is an astonishing array of washi and its continued influence, inside and outside of Japan, is undeniable.

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!

7 April 2026

Tokyorama No.1 issue, Conversazioni: Hiroko Imada Tre Due Mondi (link to online version)

Italian magazine for Italian people in Japan

Hardcopy version: 6 pages interview by Silvia Cardoni

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.