All programs are open for registration on August 1st of each year for the upcoming season. Each season runs from October through the summer of the next year.
Butoh Dance Performance
A Dance Performance by Pinar Sinka
Butoh, a type of Japanese dance theater came on the scene in 1959 and over the decades has grown beyond Japan and onto the international scene. Join us for an evening of this unique Avant-garde dance performed by Butoh performer Pinar Sinka.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: April Showers Chigiri-e Flowers
Celebrate Orchid Weekend at the Morikami and make your own paper orchids to take home.
12:00PM, Saturday, April 4, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Underwritten by Linda and Michael Sonnenreich
Film: Tokyo Cowboy
Discussion led by Director Marc Marriott
Brash businessman Hideki convinces his Tokyo bosses he can turn a profitless Montana cattle ranch into a premiere-performing asset. However, when his Japanese Wagyu-beef expert fails him, Hideki is poised to fail unless he identifies a missing element that's key to the transformation: himself.
Adult Workshop
Block Printing Workshop
Japan has a long, rich history of woodblock printing, called mokuhanga, dating back to the 11th century. The ukiyo-e genre of block prints flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries. Morikami is offering a workshop with a modern twist on this ancient art form, where participants can carve and print with linoleum blocks to create unique and exciting imagery. Instructor Brian Reedy has been teaching this method for over 20 years, and offers an approach that is easily accessible for beginners, yet challenging for seasoned artists. Printing inks can stain clothes, so dress appropriately. Please wear old clothes or bring an apron.
Adult Workshop
The Joy of Carving - Chirirenge Ramen Spoon Edition
Chirirenge in Japanese is the name of the soup spoons from Asia and used as ramen spoons in Japan. Unlike the western spoon, it has a flat bottom and is deep to hold more soup. The handle is curved upwards and the shape mimics a fallen petal of the lotus flower called renge in Japanese. The word chiri means “to fall off.”
10:00AM, Saturday, April 25, 2026
Oki Education Center
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Children's Day
Come join us to celebrate the Japanese holiday of Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) by making a flying paper helicopter modeled after the Japanese traditional toy, take tombo (bamboo dragonflies) and a flying carp, called koinobori.
11:00AM, Saturday, May 2, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Japanese Traditional Music Instrument
Koto Demonstration
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn the fascinating history of this exquisite instrument and listen to its captivating and tranquil sounds demonstrated by intermediate koto students.
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Speaker Series: A Brief History of Yōkai
Talk by Author Zack Davisson
From Godzilla to Pokémon, Japan is monster country. And all of Japan's monsters have their roots in the bizarre menagerie of creatures called yōkai. Noted monster scholar and yōkai folklorist Zack Davisson guides you through the history behind yōkai; a journey from the invisible monsters of the Heian period to the yōkai catalogs of Edo. A book signing with Zack Davisson will follow the lecture.
Adult Workshop
The Art of Carving - Chopsticks
Hashi, the Japanese word for chopsticks, are an essential part of dining across Asia, designed for precision and balance. Unlike Western utensils, chopsticks encourage a more mindful eating experience, requiring dexterity and a connection to the food. Their form is simple yet elegant, with variations in shape and material reflecting regional traditions and culinary uses.
Adult 2-Day Workshop
Indigo Katazome Workshop
Katazome is a Japanese resist process used for hundreds of years in Japanese textiles. Traditional artisans created a resist paste made from a rice flour mixture and applied it to cloth through the use of elaborately hand-carved stencils. Where ever this paste is applied will resist the dye, creating a pattern. Traditionally katazome is dyed with indigo to create the traditional white and blue of many Japanese textiles.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Father's Day Tops
Beware of flying bats this Halloween! Learn how to fold your own flying komori, bat, for a spooky Halloween
12:00PM, Saturday, June 13, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Tanabata
Make a wish for the Star Festival, Tanabata! Write your wish on a strip of colored paper, or tanzaku, and tie it to a branch of our Tanabata bamboo to celebrate.
10:00AM, Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Thursday, July 2, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Friday, July 3, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Sunday, July 5, 2026
Lobby
10:00AM, Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Lobby
Grade 3rd – 12th
Calligraphy Youth Workshop
Learn how to write your name and some Japanese words with ink and brush, two traditional calligraphy writing implements in this hands-on workshop.
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Yōkai Mask
Journey through the world of yōkai, Japanese supernatural creatures, through our exhibition and day of fun craft activities and story telling. Make your own yōkai mask for based on spirits and creatures from Japanese folklore and much more! Come dressed as your favorite Japanese yōkai!
10:00AM, Saturday, July 18, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Lantern Craft
Join us for Obon Weekend and make your own special paper lantern to light the night.
11:00AM, Saturday, August 15, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Dragonfly Clip
The dragonfly, called tombo in Japanese, are known to be abundant in late summer. Design and make your own dragonfly clip to hold together your important papers or a special picture.
12:00PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)