Wa Culture International Communication

Flyers

Overview

Name of the event

EXPERIENCE THE HARMONY OF JAPANESE CULTURE 2025
In France・Ireland・UK〜Calligraphy/Kimono/Manga music〜

Dates

Wednesday, April 23 - Monday, May 5, 2025

Place

◆Paris France:
UNESCO Headquarters Miro Hall,France
◆Lille France:
Ecole Japonaise du Nord-Pas de Calais / Ma Pause Manga Café / La Madeleine
◆Dublin Ireland:
House of Japan / ※St.Conlethʼs College / ※St.Raphaelaʼs Secondary School
◆London UK:
LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science) / Haringey Libraries / Miyabi Nursery

Remarks

◆Participants:Approx. 200 people
◆Participant Nationalities:Ireland, USA, Argentina, India, UK, Italy, Ukraine, South Korea, Cuba, Spain, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, France, Madagascar, etc.

Organized by

Wa Culture International Communication / Wa Culture International Communication Europe Branch /
*Overseas Diplomatic Mission Project, Embassy of Japan in Ireland.

Supported by

Embassy of Japan in the UK /The Japan Foundation in London

Simultaneous Event

“Calligraphy Experience in the City” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association)

Cooperation by

World Peace Art Exhibition Committee/ Ecole Japonaise du Nord-Pas de Calais / /La Madeleine / Atelier.Keyaki / House of Japan/ Trinity College Dublin Japanese Society /The London School of Economics and Political Science / Haringey Libraries / Miyabi Nursery / All Japan Waso Consultant Association / Naraya Honpo Co., Ltd./ PiaCha Music Method

Calligraphy Instructors

Ouka Magari, Member of the Royal Society of British Artists and International Peace Art Association, Instructor of Agency for Cultural Affairs Traditional Culture Program
Kyoko Meyer, Representative of Atelier.Keyaki

Music Instructor

Hiroshi Kobayashi, Pianist and Representative of Piacha Music Method

Production

Wa Culture International Communication

Music Direction

Piacha Music Method - Kobahiro / Mariko Abe

Filming

Vincent Guerin (French documentary director) / Andrew

English Interpretation

Kunihiro Wada (UK Rep. of Wabunka Europe) / Yoshiko Misawa (House of Japan)

French Interpretation

Clarisse / Fanny (France Reps. of Wabunka Europe)

General Supervisor

Mai (Rep. of Wabunka Europe)

Paris, France (April 23 Wed - 28 Mon, 2025)

Venue

Miro Hall, UNESCO Headquarters / Pas Perdu Hall

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations after WWII, the International Peace Art Exhibition 2025 was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, promoting peace and diversity. Participants attended the exhibition, including the unveiling of calligraphy instructor Ouka Magari’s work “Rou: 270 Historical Portraits of Japan and the World.” As part of advocacy efforts to support the 2026 UNESCO intangible cultural heritage registration of Japanese calligraphy, the “Calligraphy Experience in the City” was conducted (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association).　Distinguished guests included Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, 8th Secretary-General of the UN; Mr. Christopher Castle, Director of Peace and Sustainable Development at UNESCO; and Ms. Naoko Hirayama from the Permanent Delegation of Japan to UNESCO. Ambassadors from Argentina, Cuba, Paraguay, and a former ambassador of Madagascar also attended, alongside embassy officials and Ms. Setsuko Balthus.

Lille, France (April 26 Sat, 2025, 14:00–16:00)

Venue

Ecole Japonaise du Nord-Pas de Calais

Participants enjoyed piano performances of anime/manga music such as “Summer,” “Idol,” and “Spirited Away” by the music instructor. Both Japanese and French calligraphy instructors presented kanji inspired by the music themes: “夏 (Summer),” “愛 (Love),” and “千 (Thousand).” Attendees also tried writing the kanji in their own styles. The event introduced Japanese calligraphy culture, distributed washi postcards (courtesy of Naraya Honpo), and offered an English version of the calligraphy guidebook “Welcome.” The event ended with the “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji” activity, where participants expressed their feelings through a single kanji, creating cultural harmony through shared experiences.

Lille, France (April 26 Sat, 2025, 17:00–19:00)

Venue

Ma Pause Manga Cafe

In a cozy manga-themed cafe, the music instructor performed piano pieces including the popular “Spirited Away.” Calligraphy instructors wrote themed kanji corresponding to the music, and French participants who love Japanese culture joined in kimono. The event included an introduction to the history of yukata (supported by the All Japan Waso Consultant Association ) and Japanese calligraphy. Participants received English calligraphy guidebooks, washi postcards, and took part in the “Calligraphy Experience in the City.” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association). The session concluded with each person sharing their unique kanji in the “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji” .

Lille, France (April 27 Sat, 2025, 15:00–17:00)

Venue

La Madeleine

In a historic French venue, a cultural salon showcased Japanese traditions. Participants in kimono learned about the 1,200-year history of yukata, originally worn for bathing and sweat absorption. The music instructor gave anime and manga piano performances, including an impromptu guitar collaboration that delighted the audience. The event included a calligraphy demonstration, English guidebook distribution, “Calligraphy Experience in the City,” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association). and washi postcard giveaways. About 30 participants shared kanji expressing their current feelings, enhancing mutual understanding through “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji” .

Dublin, Ireland (April 30 Wed, 2025, 9:00–15:00)

Venue

※St.Conleth’s College (Supported by the Embassy of Japan in Ireland)

For the second consecutive year, we visited schools without Japanese language education to further promote cultural exchange. In two classes of 44 elementary and middle school students, we introduced kanji origins and calligraphy, emphasized posture and brush handling, and shared the history of Japanese calligraphy. The “Calligraphy Experience in the City” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association). was held simultaneously. We explained the Iroha song’s hiragana and original kanji. Students practiced their chosen kanji for “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji” . and wrote it neatly on washi postcards. Words included “Good (良),” “Fun (楽),” “Joy (嬉),” and “Peace (安).”

Dublin, Ireland (April 30 Wed, 2025, 18:00–20:00)

Venue

House of Japan

This was the third visit following April and October the previous year. About 20 regular attendees gathered at this cultural hub in central Dublin. A video showing France’s “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji” was screened, followed by piano performances of anime/manga songs “Summer,” “Idol,” and “Spirited Away.” Calligraphy instructors presented the kanji “夏 (Summer),” “愛 (Love),” and “千 (Thousand).” Participants practiced writing “Rou ” the UNESCO-themed work, and created a calligraphy calendar. Everyone shared their kanji in“Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji”.This was the third “Calligraphy Experience in the City” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association). held here.We once again received kind support from the owner and their spouse.

Dublin, Ireland (May 1 Thu, 2025, 10:00–12:00)

Venue

※St.Raphaela’s Secondary School (Supported by the Embassy of Japan in Ireland)

We visited a school that participates in the JET Programme. About 20 participants including the principal and music teachers joined the Japanese language class for high school girls. After introducing Japanese calligraphy culture, we handed out the English calligraphy guidebook “Welcome.” Participants traced the Iroha song in both kanji and hiragana and attempted kanji quizzes. Some students wrote diaries in kanji or planned to study abroad in Japan, showing strong cultural interest. The session concluded with the “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji”and washi postcard calligraphy. UNESCO poster support was provided within the school.

London, UK (May 4 Sun, 2025, 13:00–15:00)

Venue

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Held in the LSE library in central London’s financial district. Founded in 1895, LSE is a top institution for social sciences. The 30 admission tickets were distributed immediately due to high interest. Themed around “Waon (Harmony),” the event included video performances of anime/manga music from France (supported by Piacha Music Method), an introduction to kimono/yukata (with support from the All Japan Waso Consultant Association ), and a study of calligraphy history and kanji origins. Inspired by the Zen spirit of “Ichigo Ichie,” participants presented their own kanji in “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji” . Washi postcards and guidebooks were distributed. The event was featured on LSE LIFE’s social media.Through the “Calligraphy Experience in the City” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association). we received support from many people—including the Director of the Japan Cultural Centre in London—for the promotion of Japanese calligraphy toward its inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

London, UK (May 5 Mon, 2025, 10:30–13:00)

Venue

Haringey Libraries

Held at a prominent library in quiet North London. Around 20 first-time participants were introduced to Japanese calligraphy and the UNESCO-themed work “Rou ” Attendees listened attentively and tried tracing hiragana and kanji of the Iroha song in the “Calligraphy Experience in the City.” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association). Participants received guidebooks and washi postcards. Some even took brushes, ink, and paper home to continue practicing.

London, UK (May 5 Mon, 2025, 15:30–17:00)

Venue

Miyabi Nursery

Located in Acton, West London, a hub for the Japanese community. Despite being a bank holiday, about 15 participants including children, elementary students, expats, and families with babies interested in Japanese culture joined the event. The session included calligraphy introduction, “Welcome” guidebook distribution, and activities supporting UNESCO registration through the “Calligraphy Experience in the City.” (in cooperation with Japan Shodo Culture Association). Participants expressed feelings or wrote names on washi postcards as part of “Kanjiru ichigo ichie: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter Through a Kanji” .The nursery director also joined, and many expressed that it was a fresh and joyful experience.

Photos of the event

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Video of the event

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