Fun with Watercolours

For painters of any skill level! This event will explore how you can quickly and cheaply begin painting with watercolour and all the different ways you can play with the medium to create you own unique art. A presentation on watercolour techniques from an enthusiastic amateur before trying it out for yourself.

Kanzashi

Kanzashi are traditional, beautifully crafted Japanese hair ornaments that have elegantly adorned hairstyles for centuries, most famously worn by geisha. We welcome you to join our hands-on workshop to learn the delicate art and make one of your own. Come unleash your creativity, discover historic techniques, and leave with your very own custom-made hairpiece to wear around the festival!

Kumihimo

Kumihimo is a Japanese art form of braiding threads into cords and braids. Join Bakeress and PinkPanda in a 16,000-year-old craft from the Jomon period! Learn a little bit about traditional braids and cords, featured on kimonos and samurai armour alike, then make a simple bracelet to take away - instructions included! Suitable for all ages, with supervision (knots know no age).

Model Painting

Ever wanted to try your hand at miniature painting? Well now’s your chance. Weather it’s your first time or your and experienced painter there is something for you. In this drop in workshop you will get a free fantasy model to paint with expert guidance should you need it on hand. All tools and materials provided.

Paint Your Own Japanese Lantern

Light up Toko with CatButter and Ducky with this illuminating panel of painting your own Japanese lantern! Go traditional with akachochin (red lantern) or modern with your own design that embodies you. Suitable for all ages, but you might get messy! We would like to hang completed lanterns around Toko for the weekend, but your lantern goes home with you at the end of the weekend!

Sashiko

Come learn and try out the Japanese art of sashiko. A centuries old technique of stitching that is both beautiful and functional. Please note, there are limited spaces for this event so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Click here to pre-register for this event.

Shibori

Shibori is a traditional Japanese fabric dyeing technique used in the creation of unique and vibrant patterns. Available all weekend, come to the cosplay tent and make your own traditionally dyed indigo banner in the style of the house banners. Please note items have to be left in dye for a long period of time. The earlier you attend, the more intense the colour on the final outcome.

Shodo Calligraphy

Shodo, traditional Japanese calligraphy, is an expressive art form with over a millennium of history, where practitioners use a brush and ink to write kanji with mindfulness and grace. At Tokonatsu, you can join our hands-on workshop to learn the fundamental brush strokes and beauty of Japanese characters. Come unleash your creativity, discover these ancient artistic techniques, and leave with your very own custom-inked parchment to take home!

Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e is the iconic Japanese art of woodblock printing that flourished during the Edo period, famously capturing vibrant scenes of landscapes, actors, and the floating worlds. We welcome you to join our interactive event to discover the intricate history and traditional multi-layered ink processes behind masterpieces like Hokusai's globally renowned The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Come explore this historic visual medium and leave with a deeper appreciation for Japan's most celebrated art movement!

Wool Craft

Take a short, international jaunt into the world of both French knitting and finger knitting with Serissa and PinkPanda! Whether you are a newbie or an experienced crafter, there is always something new to learn! Suitable for all ages, especially the mini-nerds amongst us. All materials supplied.