Special Experience
Kyoto
Learn Suiboku-ga Ink Painting Privately from a Kyoto Artist - Includes Matcha Sweets
Overview
Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925 in Kyoto is a secluded resort renovated from a 100-year-old former businessman’s residence. Enjoy a special art session at the resort’s upscale Kodaiji Kiwami restaurant, reserved just for you. Guided by Isshu Mizushima, the ninth-generation artist of the Maruyama-Shijo school of Japanese-style painting, you will explore the art of suiboku-ga, Japanese monochrome ink painting. Afterward, indulge in a set of sweets, curated exclusively for Wabunka by a renowned Kyoto restaurant. Immerse yourself in the luxury of ink painting amidst the tranquility of the Higashiyama forest.
Key Features
・A Wabunka-exclusive experience in a luxurious space at Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925
・Learn suiboku-ga ink painting from Isshu Mizushima, a ninth-generation artist from the Maruyama-Shijo school. This lineage traces back to Maruyama Okyo. You will also get to take your artwork home on the same day
・Includes a tea and sweets set from Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten, a tea shop with a 450-year history
*You may also like this experience in the same location:
Zen Meditation Experience Private & Exclusive Access to Kodaiji Gesshin-in Temple Kyoto
Kyoto
from
¥31,000 /person
1 - 6 participants
120mins
Available in English
Cancel free up to 11 days before
* If fewer than 2 participants, the minimum fee will be JPY 62,000
Details
A Special Experience in a Modern Japanese Mansion, Higashiyama, Kyoto
Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925 was originally the private residence of a copper processing company owner, constructed in 1925. Revamped by an up-and-coming designer, it is now a restaurant and wedding venue, with a forest designed to complement the unique slopes of Higashiyama on its sprawling grounds. Despite its central location in Higashiyama, a popular sightseeing area in Kyoto, stepping through the gate transports you to a serene world, away from the urban hustle and bustle.
The entrance is decorated with a stunning Nishijin brocade featuring a peacock design by Jotaro Saito, a prominent kimono designer, inviting you into an extraordinary space. Copper and brass decorations, a nod to the resort's copper processing history, add sparkle to the premises.
Located within the main building, Kodaiji Kiwami offers an authentic French dining experience. The elegant restaurant features walls decorated with Jotaro Saito’s Nishijin brocade. This exclusive Wabunka experience will see Kiwami reserved just for you, for an ink painting lesson and elegant tea time. The restaurant staff will guide you through the highlights of the resort as you immerse yourself in a space steeped in over 100 years of tradition.
Lecture on Maruyama-Shijo School Lineage by Isshu Mizushima, 9th Generation
Isshu Mizushima, the ninth-generation artist from the Maruyama-Shijo School of ink painting, will delve into the school's history and techniques, which had a significant impact on Japanese art from the late 17th to the 19th century. Apart from hosting solo exhibitions and teaching classes, Mizushima is actively involved in various endeavors, including media appearances and cultural property restoration. In this experience, you can explore ink painting of bamboo, a signature motif of the Maruyama-Shijo School, suitable even for beginners in ink painting.
In a lecture room, you will first learn about suiboku-ga ink painting, Japanese-style painting, and the Maruyama-Shijo School. This group of artists, known as the Kyoto Gatan (Kyoto School of Painting), was active in Kyoto from the 17th to 19th centuries and had a profound influence on subsequent generations of painters. Today, the painters of the Maruyama-Shijo School remain highly regarded for their contributions to the art world.
Mizushima, as the ninth generation of the Maruyama-Shijo School, expresses his gratitude, saying, "It's an honor to continue the legacy of the painters I admire and the painting style I aspire to." His classroom lectures, focusing on the basics of Japanese painting, provides a fulfilling learning opportunity.
An Authentic Suiboku-ga Lesson That Enhances Your Art Appreciation Skills
After the introduction to suiboku-ga, the hands-on lesson begins. Learn to draw simple designs featuring bamboo and other plants, which are beginner-friendly motifs, suitable even for those new to ink painting.
You will first prepare ink, appreciating its unique aroma as you focus on your task (the instructor may prepare the ink in advance). The brushes provided for this experience are different from those used in Japanese calligraphy, and are specifically designed for Japanese painting. Their unique water and ink retention properties take some getting used to, but with practice, you will become more adept. As you progress with your brush, start with light ink, then add a bit darker ink, followed by a darker shade polished with an inkstone. Practice drawing the kanji "一" (one) by gradually increasing the ink amount.
Mizushima emphasizes the importance of using the entire arm, rather than just the wrist, to maneuver the brush. This technique, known as "unpitsu" in Japanese-style painting, is fundamental to ink painting. Through consistent practice, you can gradually achieve more lifelike and dynamic brushwork.
Another highlight of the experience is the opportunity to observe Mizushima's ink painting demonstration up close, providing insights into the delicate brushstrokes and sketch-like expressions unique to the Maruyama-Shijo School.
A Relaxing Tea Time with Uji Kyoto Sweets
After the session, enjoy a delightful tea time featuring a special selection of sweets curated by the renowned Kyoto-based Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten for Wabunka. Indulge in a serene moment that promises to soothe your soul and bring a smile to your face. With a history spanning 450 years, Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten is a well-known tea shop in Uji, celebrated for its beverage offerings.
You can savor a set of Matcha Gateau Opera with tea from Salon de Kanbayashi, a café located within Akagane Resort, at the counter seat of Kodaiji Kiwami.
The Matcha Gateau Opera is a beloved offering from Salon de Kanbayashi, skillfully blending Japanese and Western tastes. Featuring the fragrant Biwa no Shiro matcha from Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten, the cake boasts harmonious layers of indulgent matcha and chocolate. Accompanying the cake, a special Wabunka-exclusive gyokuro green tea of the highest quality will be served.
Gyokuro, cultivated under shade to enhance its mild sweetness, offers a distinct flavor profile. Rather than serving it already brewed, you will experience the taste of freshly steeped tea from a teapot. You can relax and learn the art of tea-making with the provided instructions for brewing. Indulge in the perfect pairing of premium tea and sweets.
Experience Suiboku-ga While Embracing Kyoto
Suiboku-ga's charm lies in its tension-filled brush strokes. Mizushima reassures that mistakes are part of the hands-on experience, encouraging everyone to draw freely without fear. Each person's rendition of the same motif is unique, allowing for diverse expressions. Embrace the distinct texture and individuality that characterize your artwork.
"Drawing requires technique, but observation is equally important," says Mizushima. When depicting plants and trees, observing the way leaves grow and how trees sway in the wind helps you capture details from daily life. After the experience, when you revisit renowned Japanese and ink paintings by famous artists, you might realize the challenge of capturing dynamism and essence. Cultivate your "ability to see," discerning the stories and depth within paintings, which can enrich your future appreciation of art.
This experience offers a rare chance to learn suiboku-ga and Japanese-style painting basics under Mizushima's guidance, a ninth-generation Maruyama Shijo-ha school member. Recommended for those seeking deeper understanding, it offers a special Kyoto experience in a luxurious Higashiyama setting.
Isshu Mizushima / Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925
Isshu Mizushima / Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925
Isshu Mizushima
A Japanese-style and ink painter who received the pseudonym "Isshu Mizushima" in 2009. He apprenticed under his father, Yukio Mizushima, the 8th generation of the Maruyama-Shijo school, and now carries on the tradition as the 9th generation successor. Apart from teaching and exhibiting, Mizushima is involved in media work and cultural property restoration.
Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925
This century-old mansion, located in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, was once a private residence for a copper processing company owner. It has since been renovated and features copper accents throughout as a nod to its past. Surrounded by a vast forest, it exudes a serene and secluded resort ambiance.
Customer's Voice
We had a great experience. it was engaging, fun and we learned lots. Everyone was nice and helpful.
N.A. Australia
This was an incredible experience for our family! It changed the way we see in painting and the venue was amazing.
J.K. United States
Location
Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Request for booking
* Required
December 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
17
Available
17
Full
17
No Events
If your first choice is not available, we will confirm your booking based on your other preferred dates and times.
Experience fee
Minimum fee JPY 31000 × 2 participants
JPY 62,000
*Minimum: 2 participants; JPY 31,000 × 2 will be charged for bookings below the minimum.
Price may change after date is selected.
Additional options fee
Interpretation in English
JPY 0
Other
Service fee (5%)
JPY 3,100
Total Price
JPY 65,100
tax & service fee incl.
Extra charges may apply for the following
- ・Interpretation / Dependant on experience schedule and language
- ・Optional add-ons / Souvenirs, delivery, etc.
Kyoto
from
¥31,000 /person
1 - 6 participants
120mins
Available in English
Cancel free up to 11 days before
* If fewer than 2 participants, the minimum fee will be JPY 62,000
Things to know
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact us using the form below.
We also accept bookings from corporate clients and travel agencies.