Akemi organises a Cherry Blossom viewing (hanami) in Fukushima. This event will involve some of the orphans of the 2011 earthquake/tsunami along with English and Japanese volunteers from the charity Aid For Japan.

Akemi conducts the Tea Ceremony in 4 sessions at Ohanami Festival in Brogdale Collections in Kent.

Japanese etiquette course at a business Centre in Wales.

Akemi conducts a lecture on the topic of ‘Japanese Culture’ for this private commission at a North West London College.

Akemi presents a Lecture on the topic of ‘Japanese Life Style at Hiirocon, an Anime convention at Reading University.

Akemi Tanaka will be hosting a special event in September revolving around the the history of the kimono as part of a fundraising exercise for the Aid For Japan charity.

Widely regarded as the most iconic form of traditional Japanese clothing, the kimono has a long and fascinating history. This illustrated presentation will offer up a detailed perspective on the kimono from the 3rd Century through to the 19th Century. It will also explore its place in current fashion showing how the kimono has acquired a timeless appeal.

This presentation will also include a Q&A session followed by an opportunity for people to see and touch several kimonos.

The event takes place at Strawberry Hill House, the Gothic-style villa developed by author Horace Walpole in the 1700s. Noted as an internationally famous example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture, Strawberry Hill underwent a £9 million 2-year restoration project in recent years.

The History of the Kimono takes place on Thursday 29th September at 19:00. Tickets are priced at £20 each and can be ordered directly from the Strawberry Hill website.

All proceeds from this fundraising event will be split 50/50 between Aid for Japan and The Strawberry Hill Trust Charity.

www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk