{"title": "Experience Ise's Okihiki Festival: Make a Zai and sing Kiyari work songs", "start": "2026-11-08T00:00:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Japan House", "address": "Kensington High Street 101-111, W8 5SA London", "price": "", "price_from": null, "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "", "category": "workshops-courses", "tags": ["history/japan", "religion"], "description": "A hands-on workshop about the Okihiki Festival of Ise Grand Shrine, part of Shikinen Sengū, the once-every-20-years renewal of Japan's most important Shinto shrine. Led by Kawanishi Masahiko of Miyachu, a sacred straw rope artisan from Ise who leads kiyari work songs in his local Okihiki group. After an introduction to the festival's history and significance, participants make zai, the signalling batons used to direct Okihiki processions, from wooden sticks and washi paper, and learn to sing kiyari uta, the rhythmic work songs chanted during the festival. The event forms part of a wider programme presented in collaboration with Ise City within the Spotlight on Local Japan Programme, organized with the Japan National Tourism Organization.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/experience-ises-okihiki-festival-make-a-zai-and-sing-kiyari-41599/", "official_url": "", "image": "", "dates": [{"start": "2026-11-08T00:00:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Japan House", "address": "Kensington High Street 101-111, W8 5SA London", "tickets": ""}], "similar": [{"title": "Shinto craftsmanship in Ise between people and kami (talk with Miyachu)", "start": "2026-11-07T00:00:00Z", "end": null, "place": "Japan House", "address": "Kensington High Street 101-111, W8 5SA London", "price": "", "price_from": null, "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "", "category": "talks-readings", "tags": ["history", "religion"], "description": "A talk about Shinto craftsmanship in Ise, the home of Ise Jingū, Japan's most important Shinto shrine. The speaker is Kawanishi Yōsuke, Shinto priest and President of Miyachu, an Ise-based maker of kami-dana (household shrines) and shingu (Shinto ritual implements) founded in 1938. He explores how craftsmanship can bridge people and kami, discussing the selection of natural materials, passing skills to future generations and sustaining these traditions in a changing world. The talk forms part of a programme presented with Ise City, within the Spotlight on Local Japan Programme with JNTO.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/shinto-craftsmanship-in-ise-between-people-and-kami-talk-wit-41598/", "official_url": "", "image": ""}, {"title": "Open To Ideas Workshop: Forest Bathing in Lesnes Abbey Woods", "start": "2026-11-07T11:00:00Z", "end": "2026-11-07T13:00:00Z", "place": "Lakeside Centre, Lakeside Centre, London, SE2 9AN, United Kingdom", "address": "", "price": "Free", "price_from": "0.00", "price_to": "0.00", "tickets_url": "https://bowarts.org/shop/", "category": "workshops-courses", "tags": ["nature/forest", "wellness/meditation"], "description": "An immersive forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) workshop in Lesnes Abbey Woods, part of the Open To Ideas programme of wellbeing sessions. It is led by artist, qualified Shinrin Yoku leader and certified meditation teacher Chris Brock, who is also an author of books on mindfulness. The slow, sensory practice involves noticing sounds, textures, scents and light, and the workshop explores the relationship between humans and trees, Shinto ideas, mindfulness practices and forest 'invitations'. Participants meet outside Abbey Wood train station and should bring something to sit on; healthy snacks are provided.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/open-to-ideas-workshop-forest-bathing-in-lesnes-abbey-woods-35045/", "official_url": "https://bowarts.org/event/open-to-ideas-workshop-forest-bathing-in-lesnes-abbey-woods/", "image": "https://noky.io/images/26701b87492f57ded5007c31ae26346a31aebeca93b918ae4a895834b4eb2208-1200.webp"}, {"title": "Mr. O's Book of the Dead", "start": "2026-11-12T20:00:00Z", "end": null, "place": "The Garden Cinema", "address": "Parker Street 39-41, WC2B 5PQ London", "price": "", "price_from": null, "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/gifts/", "category": "film", "tags": ["dance/butoh", "film/experimental"], "description": "A special screening of the film Mr. O's Book of the Dead, followed by a Q&A with Mitsuyo Uesugi, who is visiting from Japan and will share her experience of working on the film 50 years ago. The event is presented by Rebellious Bodies Festival and NPO Dance Archive Network. The film is the final instalment in an experimental trilogy by documentary filmmaker Chiaki Nagano and pioneering butoh dancer Kazuo Ohno, and features 'Mr. O' (Kazuo Ohno) and a troupe of his students, including Mitsuyo Uesugi. Shot in numerous places across Japan from Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido to Yokodai Pig Farm in Kanagawa, it is, in Nagano's words, 'about one of our deaths, and a starting point towards somewhere new'.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/mr-os-book-of-the-dead-39248/", "official_url": "https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/film/mr-os-book-of-the-dead-qa-with-mitsuyo-uesugi/", "image": "https://noky.io/images/5e7d4343022e6a7c65b24e5cecd64cd689434c103473e06343b846d33c102757-600.webp"}, {"title": "Sashiko sessions with B_Boheme", "start": "2026-10-28T00:00:00Z", "end": "2027-01-09T00:00:00Z", "place": "Chiswick House", "address": "", "price": "From £45", "price_from": "45.00", "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "https://chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/community-schools/growing-green-school-visits/", "category": "workshops-courses", "tags": ["diy/textiles/embroidery"], "description": "A relaxed, beginner-friendly two-hour workshop introducing the Japanese art of sashiko stitching, where participants use reclaimed denim to create their own stitched piece to take home. The sessions are led by Alicia Lai, founder of B_Boheme, and teach the foundations of the stitching tradition, from transferring a pattern to working its distinctive running stitches. No sewing experience is needed, all materials and equipment are provided, and returning stitchers can bring a garment or textile to mend and embellish. The session offers a chance to step away from everyday busyness, enjoy making by hand and connect with others.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/sashiko-sessions-with-b_boheme-78583/", "official_url": "", "image": "https://noky.io/images/2207581373f4093c377b0a021b0d6690450d6b7abdfc9d73bf1a6685b1dbde72-1200.webp"}, {"title": "Fire Festival 18", "start": "2026-11-10T18:00:00Z", "end": null, "place": "The Garden Cinema", "address": "Parker Street 39-41, WC2B 5PQ London", "price": "", "price_from": null, "price_to": null, "tickets_url": "https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/gifts/", "category": "film", "tags": ["film/drama"], "description": "Fire Festival is a 1985 Japanese film directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi, about a lumberjack in a rural seaside village who resists tourism development while his community is transformed by economic pressures. It will be introduced by strand curator George Crosthwait, in association with Third Window Films, which releases the film on Blu-ray in December. The film was shown in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival and stars Kinya Kitaoji, Kiwako Taichi, Norihei Miki and Junko Miyashita.", "url": "https://noky.io/en/london/events/fire-festival-18-39245/", "official_url": "https://www.thegardencinema.co.uk/film/fire-festival/", "image": "https://noky.io/images/ab2fe5dbd414901ce69b17d8f8aafc8a299d8c6eceaabe0ebfeeabbd861f6d41-1200.webp"}]}