Learn about the art and history of Japanese blended incense before making your own batch of nerikō to enjoy at home.

Since the Heian period (794-1192), fragrant powdered ingredients were mixed with honey or plum flesh and kneaded into round pastilles know as nerikō. This form of incense is indirectly heated rather than burned to release aroma - ideal for smaller spaces and individuals sensitive to smoke.

During this 90-minute, hands-on workshop, guests will learn about the significance of nerikō and its use throughout Japanese history before getting their hands dirty blending and rolling their own incense to take home. All supplies and equipment will be provided. Participants will choose between Baika 梅花 (Plum Blossom) and Zuiun 瑞雲 (Auspicious Clouds), two specially formulated recipes crafted by the Senzan Goryū school of Kōdō (incense ceremony) in Kyoto, Japan.

Workshop $38 (materials included)

Join us for a lecture/demonstration on festival music — Edo Bayashi — and dance — Kotobuki Jishi celebratory lion dance — with Portland-based musician and educator Eien Hunter-Ishikawa.

The intimate salon-style setting of this program will offer the chance to experience the music and dance of the celebratory Shishimai lion dance up-close and to learn about the history and meaning behind this Intangible Cultural Asset of Folk Art from one of the rare experts in the field.

Eien is the founder of the Portland Shishimai Kai. He started learning Edo Kotobuki Jishi in 2001 under the instruction of Kenny Endo, continuing on to study with Kyosuke Suzuki, a longtime member of Wakayama Shachu (Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Asset of Folk Arts). Eien is a certified instructor of all four parts - music and dance - of Wakayama Ryu Edo Kotobuki Jishi. Eien is also a gifted musician and composer on a variety of traditional Japanese instruments, especially taiko and shinobue flute.

Tickets: $45

To receive advance notice when tickets go on sale, sign up for our newsletter through the form below.

Dōjin Arts is pleased to present an opportunity to enjoy an exhibition of ikebana arrangements by members of the Sogetsu Vancouver Branch (Sogetsu School of Ikebana) set in an authentic traditional Japanese tearoom. 

Please join us for a bowl of matcha and traditional sweet as we celebrate these sister art forms that flourished under the influence of Zen Buddhist aesthetics and philosophy during the Higashiyama era (late 15th century). Members of Dōjin Arts and the Sogetsu School of Ikebana will be available to chat and answer any questions. 

This will be a relaxed, open house setting, not a formal tea service. Donations in support of The Dōjin Japanese Arts Society are welcomed.

We look forward to collaborating with members of Sogetsu Vancouver to bring our communities together around the founding of The Dōjin Japanese Arts Society 同仁文化会.