Japanese Culture in St. Louis

Chanoyu

Chanoyu (Chado), or the Way of Tea, is a spiritual practice formalized by Sen no Rikyu in the 16th century. JASSTL does not currently offer tea ceremony or tea ceremony instruction, but we can refer you to local tea practitioners. If you are interested, contact us directly.

Ikebana

Ikebana (生け花) is the Japanese art of flower arrangement that dates back to the 15th century.  JASSTL does not currently offer ikebana classes, but we can refer you to local ikebana practitioners. If you are interested, contact us directly.

St. Louis Okinawa Eisa Yui  |  セントルイス沖縄エイサー結

Eisa is an ancient form of traditional folk dance originating from obon, which is a sacred time of honoring and celebrating ancestors.  St. Louis Okinawa Eisa Yui is an exhilarating and dynamic ensemble that brings the vibrant spirit and cultural traditions of Okinawa to life through the powerful beats of our drums. Our performances showcase the rich heritage and cultural pride of Okinawa.  

Instagram
@st.louis_okinawaeisayui

TikTok 
@stlouisokinawaeisayui

Contact Chiaki Langley at chidemp@gmail.com

St. Louis Fude-no-Kai (Japanese Calligraphy Society of St. Louis)

St. Louis Fude-no-Kai meets on the second Saturday of each month to practice Shodō, the traditional art of Japanese calligraphy. The group welcomes participants of all levels; no prior knowledge of the Japanese language is required. Instruction is provided in both English and Japanese. Each year, members work on a selected theme and exhibit their calligraphy at the Japanese Festival held at the Missouri Botanical Garden over Labor Day weekend.

For more information, please contact Sawa Leonard at sfleon29@outlook.com.

Kendo

Kendo is the traditional Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords and protective armor.

For more information, contact:

• Yuka-sensei at stlkendo@gmail.com
• Jim DeBrecht at kendo@su.wustl.edu

Kobudo (古武道)

St. Louis has two groups devoted to two different classical Japanese martial arts of swrodsmanship.

1. Owari-ha Yagyu Shinkage ryu (柳生新陰流) - swordsmanship and martial strategy founded ca. 1650.
2. Tenshinsho-den Shinto Muso ryu (神道夢想流) - a lineage of martial art of the sword and stick founded ca. 1600.

Both groups are headed by fully licensed instructors (inka and menkyo kaiden) teachers. For information, contact Dave Lowry, kokookolu@charter.net.

St. Louis Naginata 

A traditional halberd-style Japanese martial art with competitive aspects similar to Kendo, using bamboo naginata and protective gear. The art of wielding the naginata has been handed down for generations since its use on the battlefield in medieval Japan. They practice Atarashii Naginata (新しいなぎなた), which is the contemporary study of naginata practice, first taught following World War II.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/stlnaginata/

For more Information, contact:

stlnaginata@gmail.com

Show Me Sumo Club

The Show Me Sumo Club is an organization headed by Yama, famous Japanese former professional Sumo Wrestler. In this club, you can learn directly from Yama about the art of sumo, Japan's national sport. Sumo is a form of full-contact wrestling, where the wrestler attempts to get his opponent out of the ring, and has been played since the 17th century.

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/show_me_sumo_club/

Koi Ponds 

In Japan, the koi is a symbol of luck, prosperity, and good fortune, and also of perseverance in the face of adversity.[45] Ornamental koi are symbolic of Japanese culture and are closely associated with the country's national identity.

For more information, visit Gateway Koi and Pond Club or contact Pamela Jokerst at pamjokerst@gmail.com

Taiko

St. Louis Osuwa Taiko fosters Japanese-American cultural exchange through the study and performance of taiko, the art of Japanese ensemble drumming. 

http://www.stltaiko.com/

Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis

The Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis was established by a small group of bonsai hobbyists to promote the knowledge, interest, and enjoyment of bonsai and other living plants. Bonsai is the practice of growing and shaping miniature trees in containers or pots, which the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis strives to preserve and share. They meet every first Tuesday of the month at 7:00PM and generally located at the Commerce Bank Education Center at the St. Louis Botanical Garden. 

For more information about membership, please refer to their website:

http://www.stlbonsai.com/

St. Louis Go Club

The St. Louis Go Club plays the traditional Japanese strategy board game Go, where two players compete for who can claim more territory on than their opponent on the board. The Go Club meets every Tuesday night from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at Game Nite. They welcome players of all levels and experience.

https://baduk.club/club/stl