【Applications Closed】Tsumami Zaiku Class Online - 1st Term Student Recruitment (Starting January 2026)
━━━━◥◣Online Classes Start January 2026◢◤━━━━━━
*Applications are scheduled to open on November 1st at 8 PM.
Addendum: We are currently announcing the second round of applications in a new article.
We look forward to your applications according to that schedule.
◤Why online classes now?◢
For in-person classes, I understand there may be some who find it difficult to continue attending due to time constraints, distance, or personal circumstances.
Online classes have the disadvantage of lacking physical communication, such as a community among fellow students and direct feedback from me.
However, there are also advantages, such as being able to always see the instructor's hands while taking the class, and being able to watch archived lectures later.
Above all, my wish is for you to continue for a long time and for Tsumami Zaiku to become a lifelong companion for you.
I hope online classes can be one option for everyone.
Hideaki Kitai, Representative of Kyoto Oharibako / Tsumami Zaiku Class Instructor
Keeping the atmosphere of the classroom. Popular courses are starting online.
Oharibako's authentic Tsumami Zaiku course, which has been studied by over 300 people so far,
is finally opening online.
This is a new format where you can learn traditional Nori Tsumami techniques using Habutae silk,
while closely observing the craftsman's hands.
## ▼Features of Online Classes
•The realism of the classroom, 그대로
With a two-screen broadcast, you can see the instructor's fingertips and whiteboard explanations in real time.
You can learn as if you were in a classroom.
•Accessible from anywhere in the country (Tuesdays 7:30 PM -)
With classes held approximately once a month and archives available (viewable for 1.5 years), even busy individuals can continue without difficulty.
•Includes materials and an affordable price
All necessary fabric and metal findings are delivered as a set.
Tools can be purchased at the online shop.
•Step-by-step progression
By advancing through beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, you can systematically learn everything from the basics to creating classical works.
•Flexible learning without qualifications or restrictions
This course does not have a certification system.
You are free to work as an instructor or artist, regardless of whether you take the course.
⸻
## Beginner Course (6 sessions total)
The goal is to master the correct use of tweezers and hand sensation, and to "beautifully finish a single flower."
You will learn the basics of round pinching, pointed pinching, double pinching, and hanging elements,
and finally, create a bouquet clip by designing your own color scheme.
## Start: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 / Once every 4 weeks / 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM Course Fee: 39,600 yen (tax included, materials included)
⸻
## Instructor Profile
Hideaki Kitai
Representative of Kyoto "Oharibako." Has taught workshops to over 10,000 people,
and instructed over 300 students in Habutae Tsumami Zaiku.
Engaged in research and preservation of traditional techniques, such as the restoration of Kusudama from the Meiji era.
He is the master craftsman at a workshop that procures all fabric, dyes, and threads in Kyoto, and handles everything from production to sales.
⸻
## 【Course Schedule (Beginner Class)】
## Date: Tuesdays 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Total 6 sessions, held once every 4 weeks
## 1st Session: January 13 (Tuesday) How to apply paste and the basics of round pinching and pointed pinching
2nd Session: February 10 (Tuesday) Basics of trimming and how to make multi-petal flowers
3rd Session: March 10 (Tuesday) Basics of double pinching
4th Session: April 7 (Tuesday) Bouquet Clip ① (3 round-pinched flowers)
5th Session: May 12 (Tuesday) Bouquet Clip ② (3 pointed-pinched flowers)
6th Session: June 9 (Tuesday) Bouquet Clip ③ (How to make hanging elements, glue pinching)
*Archive viewing available (for 1.5 years from the lecture date)
*If you miss a session, you can catch up by watching the archive.
⸻
Q.
Is it okay for beginners?
A.
Yes, it's perfectly fine for complete beginners.
We will carefully instruct you on everything from how to hold tweezers to how to handle paste.
Since it's a small-group class, you can ask questions on the spot if you don't understand something.
Q.
Can I attend without showing my face?
A.
Yes. You can participate with your camera off or using a nickname.
We only ask that you set up a camera for your hands
so that the instructor can see your work and offer advice.
Q.
What equipment do I need?
A. You need a smartphone or PC that can view online courses.
▼
For those who want to seriously participate, we recommend the following:
Recommended viewing environment: A PC or tablet that can clearly show the streamed video, and a smartphone or web camera with a stand to capture your hands from above.
We recommend two devices.
① Screen for students to view the instructor's hands: PC or tablet
② Camera for the instructor to view the students' hands: Smartphone or web camera with a stand to support it
If you show your work on your hands during the class,
we will provide guidance on "why that is happening" and "how to do it more smoothly" on the spot.
Please inquire about recommended smartphone stands and
web
cameras.
Q.
What tools do I need?
A.
Please prepare the following tools yourself (all materials such as fabric and findings are included in the course).
•
Tweezers
•
Paste board
•Craft scissors for handicrafts
(not for stationery)
•Awl
•
Adhesive
•
Clothespins
•
Masking tape
Tweezers, paste board, and craft scissors (for handicrafts) can be purchased
from the Oharibako online shop.
Q.
How long can I watch the archives (recorded videos)?
A.
Each session's video is recorded and
can be viewed at any time for
1
and a half years
from the lecture date.
Even if you cannot attend on a particular day, you can review it as many times as you like later.
Q.
When will the materials arrive?
A.
They will be shipped
1
to
2
weeks before
the start of the course.
Upon arrival, please check the contents according to the checklist in the box.
Q.
What happens if I miss a session?
A.
You can catch up by watching the archived broadcast.
Also, if there is availability in the same session of another class,
you can attend a make-up class.
Q. I'm worried about operating
Zoom
...
A.
We will hold a "Guidance Session (free)" before the course begins.
We will do connection checks and video tests together, so even first-timers can feel at ease.
Q.
Do you have a "certified instructor system" or "qualification system" like other schools?
A.
This course intentionally does not have a qualification or certification system.
Tsumami Zaiku is a "free craft" where the perfection and expression of each work differ from person to person.
The goal is for each individual to be able to "make beautiful flowers with their own hands."
Furthermore, for those who wish to pursue instructor or artist activities,
we value an environment where they can freely work and identify themselves, without being bound by "certification or lack thereof."
The appeal of "Oharibako Online Classes" is that you can expand the techniques you learn in your own style.
Q.
I am already studying at another school, is that okay?
A.
Not a problem at all.
This school does not have affiliations with other Tsumami Zaiku schools or instructors, so you can participate without worrying about obligations.
Additionally, this course emphasizes "traditional and authentic techniques" using paste and Habutae silk.
Whether you want to reconfirm the basics or learn techniques from a different school,
please feel free to join as an opportunity to deepen your own style.
Course Flow
1)
Application
After completing your application on the Rakuten page, we will send an automatic reply email, then
a manual confirmation email will be sent.
2)
Shipping of material kit and
LINE
group invitation
The material kit will be shipped approximately
2
weeks before the course begins.
Upon arrival, you will be invited to a
LINE
group specifically for the course.
All communication and announcements with the instructor and other students will be done via
LINE.
3)
Guidance Session (free)
A guidance session using
Zoom
will be held before the course begins.
We will greet you and check your communication environment to alleviate any concerns before starting the main course.
4)
Day of: Online Course Starts!
Entry confirmation
10
minutes before the start time. The instructor will check the hand cameras, and once everyone is ready, the lecture will begin.
5)
Archive Distribution (from the next day)
After the lecture ends, the archive
URL
will be shared in the
LINE
group from the next day onwards.
The recording can be viewed for
1
and a half years
from the lecture date
. This ensures you can review or catch up if you miss a session.
⸻
Apply here
Google Form
https://forms.gle/ecaGa69E6uxxMDzU8
We look forward to your applications!
Application form scheduled to be released on November 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM
