Lexus Recommends Japanese Crafting Activities for the Festive Season

Known for the fine craftsmanship and original design found in all its cars, Lexus has recommended some craft activities for those who appreciate exquisite gifts, fine cuisine, or like to explore new creative pursuits.

New for December 2021, these UK events, activities and ideas for a beautifully crafted festive season will be enjoyed by Lexus aficionados.

Repair a broken treasure

If you have a favourite Christmas decoration that has been broken or damaged, the art of kintsugi could come to the rescue. Rather than attempting to reassemble the pieces flawlessly, kintsugi masters draw attention to their imperfections by using golden glue.  The fractures are replaced with sparkling seams and the object gains strength and beauty. This DIY kit comes with all the materials and instructions required.

Cut a kirigami Christmas card

Using the Japanese techniques of origami (folding) and kirie (cutting), kirigami artists create intricate 3D models from a single piece of paper in a feat of dexterity, imagination and precision. Marc Hagan-Guirey, aka Paper Dandy, has created a template to cut for your own festive scene. All you need is some paper, a thick cutting board and a craft knife. You could even make a unique Christmas card by mounting the finished piece. For inspiration, check out the Lexus UX 300e model that was made entirely from paper.

Snap up a unique Japanese gift

The Yokimono Japanese Market in Dalston East London, on 12 December will showcase Japanese art, food and vintage treasures,  including ceramics, illustrations, paper crafts, kimonos and traditional Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e). There will also be live performances including traditional flute music, Nihon Buyo dancing and Okinawa folk songs. Entry is free.

Capture a snow-scene on silk

Try your hand at Japanese silk painting on 18 December at Manchester’s Chapter One bookshop, where Floating Art will host a festive-themed workshop, with artist Ula Fung providing expert tuition for all abilities. Materials will be supplied, including bamboo brushes and stretched silk, and you’ll learn how to capture the famous snow-scenes of Kyoto’s 17th century Rinpa art movement..

Create a suminagashi star

Suminagashi, the Japanese art of paper marbling, is an easy craft activity that will help promote calm and mindfulness as an antidote to the Christmas rush. The finished product can be used for Christmas decorations, like this delicate paper star kit. Though the paper supplied is pre-marbled, you can create unique suminagashi using specialist inks, and can cut your own patterns at home, or use it to make origami baubles.

Wrap your presents in furoshiki

For an environmentally friendly, and super-stylish alternative to disposable wrapping paper, why not try furoshiki, the Japanese art of fabric-knotting. It was first used in the 17th century but is now catching on globally as a sustainable way to wrap presents. The techniques are surprisingly simple to master and there are countless tutorials online. Furoshiki cloth can be reused time and again: Wrapuccino has a beautiful range of festive fabrics, made from cotton, satin or recycled plastic.

Spice up your sake

Sake is traditionally enjoyed without mixers, but it works really well in cocktails – either as a substitute for liqueurs, or a versatile alternative to wine. On cold winter evenings, welcome your non-driving guests with a hot sake toddy. To make one cup, gently warm the sake with equal parts water, then add a teaspoon of demerara sugar and a lemon wedge studded with four cloves. Serve in a mug or heat-proof glass, and swirl with a cinnamon stick. Or, to make a yuzu mimosa, simply add yuzu puree to a flute of sparkling sake.