JAPANESE CULTURAL DAY (10:00 - 17:30) | EIGA-SAI → 9.2.

JAPANESE CULTURAL DAY (10:00 - 17:30)

Sat 14. 02. | 10:30

WORKSHOPS OF TRADITIONAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY AT LUCERNA GALLERY

FREE ADMISSION!

EMA 絵馬 – Painting and Wishes for 2026

Workshop with Radka Müllerová (nanahana)
EIGASAI Cultural Day | February 14, 2026

Discover the charm of ema 絵馬 – traditional Japanese wooden wish plaques used in Japan as personal symbols of hope, gratitude, and protection. This workshop offers space to slow down, find calm, and formulate a wish that comes from the heart.

Each participant will create their own ema plaque. On the front side, they will paint a horse motif – a symbol of strength, perseverance, movement, and protection, and also the animal of the year 2026. On the back, they will write their wish, message of gratitude, or a personal note for the coming year.

You will take the finished plaque home as a personal talisman or a New Year’s wish.

Practical information:
– No prior reservation required
– Payment is made on site; price is 200–250 CZK depending on the selected plaque
– Suitable for children and adults
– All materials and tools are provided

ORIGAMI HEART – Folding for Joy

Workshop with the Czech Origami Society
EIGASAI Cultural Day | February 14, 2026

Origami is a traditional Japanese art that develops patience, focus, and joy in simplicity. This workshop invites visitors of all ages to pause for a moment, slow down, and create something beautiful with lightness and kindness.

Together, you will fold an origami heart step by step – a small symbol of care and sharing. You will learn basic origami techniques and take home a small handmade gift or a memory from the festival.

Practical information:
– The workshop runs throughout the day with no reservation required
– Participation is free of charge
– Suitable for children and adults, including complete beginners
– Materials are provided

CALLIGRAPHY – The Art of the Brush and a Calm Mind

EIGASAI Cultural Day | February 14, 2026

Japanese calligraphy is not only about writing characters, but about meditation in motion. It offers a moment of quiet in the middle of the festival day – a space to slow down, focus, and let the hand be guided by both mind and heart.

Each character carries meaning, thought, or wisdom, and every brushstroke is unique. Calligraphy connects aesthetics, inner calm, and mindful presence in the moment.

Practical information:
– The calligraphy workshop runs throughout the day
– No prior reservation required
– Participation is free of charge

Valentine’s Day, the Japanese Way – A Creative Valentine Workshop

Throughout the EIGASAI Cultural Day, visitors can take part in a special Valentine mini workshop that connects calligraphy, origami, and small sweets into one personal gift created from the heart.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated differently in Japan than in many Western countries. It is closely associated with sweets and small gestures of care. Traditionally, women give gifts to men on February 14 – not only out of romantic love, but also as expressions of gratitude or friendship. One month later, on White Day, the roles are reversed. In Japan, Valentine’s Day is therefore primarily about relationships, attentiveness, and kindness.

At the Czech-Japanese Society booth, visitors can purchase an envelope containing a workshop kit, including all necessary materials and simple instructions. With this envelope, they then set off on a small creative journey through the cultural day.

At the calligraphy station, participants write a personal wish or short message. At the origami station, they fold a shape they associate with love or with the person they wish to gift – a heart, a crane, or another meaningful symbol. Finally, everything is brought together and complemented with sweets from the Czech-Japanese Society – a caramel candy and chocolate-covered almonds featuring this year’s New Year card design.

The result is an original Valentine’s gift that can be given to a partner, friend, child, parent – or even to oneself. The entire concept encourages slowing down, kindness, and creating something personal with real meaning.

Practical information:
– The workshop runs throughout the day
– No prior reservation required
– A limited number of 100 workshop kits is available

General Information about the Workshops

All workshops during the EIGASAI Cultural Day take place without prior reservation.
Origami and calligraphy workshops are free of charge throughout the day.
The EMA workshop is paid on site depending on the selected plaque.

NIHONTŌ KENKYŪKAI – The Soul of the Japanese Sword

EIGASAI Cultural Day | February 14, 2026

The Japanese sword represents a unique combination of craftsmanship, aesthetics, and spiritual tradition. The Nihontō Kenkyūkai, a society dedicated to the study of Japanese swords, presents an exhibition of original swords and related fittings.

Visitors can learn about the history, production, and symbolism of Japanese swords and speak with members of the society throughout the day.

The program also includes a guided commentary tour at 11:30, offering deeper insight into the details and context of this exceptional art form.

BUDŌ KENKYŪKAI – The Way of Martial Arts

EIGASAI Cultural Day | February 14, 2026
A section of the Czech-Japanese Society

Budō is not about fighting, but about a path – a way of working with both body and mind, grounded in respect, discipline, and inner calm. Budō Kenkyūkai is dedicated to the study and understanding of traditional Japanese martial arts.

At the booth, visitors can learn what budō truly means, the role of tradition, etiquette, and philosophy, and how anyone can approach this path regardless of age or previous experience.

The meeting offers space for dialogue, slowing down, and reflecting on movement as a path toward oneself and others.

EIGASAI 2026 Festival Quiz

Throughout the entire EIGASAI festival week, visitors can take part in an open quiz designed for all audiences, connecting film screenings, live performances, workshops, and other festival events.

The quiz consists of a series of questions related to individual films, program highlights, and festival activities. Some questions are simple, others more challenging, encouraging participants to follow the festival attentively and explore it in depth.

Participants are asked to answer as many questions correctly as possible.
After the festival concludes, winners will be drawn, with the number of correct answers determining the chances of winning — the more correct answers, the better the odds.

Prizes

Prizes include, among others:

Japanese language textbooks (hiragana, katakana, kanji) from the Czech-Japanese Association
Ha-na-mi “Spring Japan” gift set
calligraphy greeting cards
Miyabi restaurant voucher
Premium Matcha Tea + chasen by Matcha Tea
Nikka From the Barrel whisky
500 CZK gift voucher for Nippan Tea
and more

The quiz is open to all festival visitors. Its aim is to encourage curiosity, attentiveness, and joyful exploration of the festival — at one’s own pace, with openness and kindness.

PRAGUE SŌGETSU STUDY GROUP
flower arranging – ikebana