Japanese Bookbinding 5-day course | Summer School 2026: 6/07 - 10/07

Level: Beginners with no prior experience, as well as those with some bookbinding background who wish to explore Japanese traditions in depth; artists, designers, and craftspeople with an interest in book arts; and Conservators, bookbinders, and students looking to expand their practical understanding of East Asian structures.

Tutor: Amanda Lancaster

Dates: 6 – 10 July 2026

Time: 10:00 – 17:00

Cost: £614

• Earlybird: 10% discount if booked by 28 February.
• 10% discount available for City & Guilds of London Art School undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundation students, alumni, and staff. Contact summerschool@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk to receive the discount code.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This five-day workshop introduces participants to the craft traditions of Japanese bookbinding, combining surface design, structural binding techniques, and protective enclosures. Students will learn the art of suminagashi marbling, apply their decorated papers to create a set of fukuro-toji (pouch-bound) books in different stitch patterns, and finish by constructing a traditional chitsu box to house their work.

The course blends practical skill-building with historical and cultural context, giving participants a tangible understanding of Japanese book arts. By the end of the week, each participant will leave with a unique collection of handmade books and a protective enclosure — a complete suite that showcases the harmony between decorated paper, stitched binding, and functional housing.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Japanese bookbinding combines elegant simplicity with rich cultural history by highlighting the beauty of the paper texture and the rhythm of stitching. By pairing this structure with suminagashi marbling and the construction of a chitsu enclosure, participants will experience a complete arc of the bookmaking process — from decorated paper to stitched volumes to protective housing.

This workshop offers:

• A full creative journey: students not only learn separate techniques but see how they interconnect, producing a unified suite of objects.
• Cross-disciplinary appeal: it attracts artists, designers, conservators, and craft enthusiasts alike.
• Accessibility with depth: no prior experience is required, yet the content challenges those with existing skills through stitch variations and case-making.
• Tangible results: participants leave with three finished books, their own marbled papers, and a custom enclosure — a rewarding outcome that showcases their learning.

This course adds variety and global perspective, deepening the programme’s offering of book arts and conservation traditions with a focus on Japanese craftsmanship. It balances practice and history, surface and structure, appealing to an audience seeking both creative skills and cultural insight.

10% discount available for City & Guilds of London Art School students, alumni and staff. Contact summerschool@cityandguildsartschool.ac.uk to receive the discount code.

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