About
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, 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.
Key Information
Who is this workshop for?
Please note the pre-requisite above. You must be aged 18 or over to participate in our programmes.
How many people can attend?
8 people
What days/times do I attend?
Wednesdays, 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 April and 6, 13, 20 May 2026 18:30 – 20:30
What materials do I need?
All materials will be provided.
Wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting slightly messy. Avoid wearing baggy clothing (especially sleeves), loose jewellery, high heels or open-toed shoes.
Where will this course take place?
This course will take place at our studios at The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, 19-22 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG.
FAQs
Do you offer concessions?
Yes, we offer concessions for Seniors/60+, full-time students and people who are unemployed/in receipt of benefits.
Concessions cannot be applied in retrospect. To receive a concession, please apply via our online form. We will then send you a discount code to use when booking your space.
Terms & Conditions
The School reserves the right to discontinue or suspend a Course up to fourteen (14) calendar days before the advertised start date of the Course. This course requires a minimum number of enrollments to run.
Our normal terms and conditions apply.
Tutor Biography
Hiroko Imada studied at the Slade in printmaking and while she was there she started to teach Japanese Woodblock Printing. She established the course at the British Museum in 2000 and the PSTA in 2017 and has been teaching there since then. In 2021, she was commissioned by the British Museum to create a woodblock print inspired by Hokusai’s drawings for the exhibition “Hokusai: The Great Picture Book of Everything”.
