AJS-NSW 2026 Student Awards Evening (12 May 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The 2026 University Awards Night will be held on Tuesday May 12th, at The Japan Foundation, Sydney.

At this annual event the Society presents Awards to outstanding students of Japanese studies nominated by seven universities in the greater Sydney region.

We are honoured to have our Patron, the Consul-General of Japan in Sydney, Mr. YAMANAKA Osamu, to present the Awards and also make some remarks.

The Awards ceremony will be followed by networking over drinks and finger food.

This event is always a wonderful evening and a highlight of our year. As well as the students, their friends and family, and their lecturers, we hope AJS members and friends will join us to celebrate the success of these students and recognize the strong commitment to Japanese studies in our region.

More details about the event HERE. Registrations are now open here so please register (and pay online or to our bank account).

Thanks go to our corporate member The Japan Foundation, Sydney, for hosting us in their space.

We look forward to seeing you.

Exploring Japanese Textiles (16 Jun 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The traditional Japanese kimono is experiencing a vibrant revival by being reimagined for modern life, shifting from a formal garment to a sustainable fashion staple. As younger generations and designers seek to reduce waste, they are finding creative ways to give old kimono fabrics a "new lease on life". With this in mind, AJS-NSW will be teaming up with Textiles Sydney at their premises in Cremorne. Suitable for teens onwards, this event will be especially interesting for sewists, stitchers, and those curious to know more about repurposing kimono and yukata.

Our guest speaker will be Tae Gessner, who has a long history with kimono. Her mother owned a kimono business in Japan. Together with her mother, Tae did fittings for kimono shows, Nihon Buyou and backstage. She graduated from a kimono college and worked for a kimono wholesaler before coming to Sydney.

Tae is the founder of International Kimono Club Sydney and a kimono specialist in Sydney. Her recent Wabori show featured wonderful combinations of Australian indigenous art and Japanese traditional kimono. Her International Kimono Club Sydney is free to join and focuses on the passion and freedom to explore the joy of wearing Kimono and experiencing Japanese culture.

This will be an ideal opportunity to share ideas on repurposing Japanese kimono. Feel free to bring along a garment you have repurposed or want to recycle. Refreshments will be served following talk.

Textiles Sydney: https://primrosepark.com.au/textiles-sydney

Venue map: https://primrosepark.com.au/contact

Australia-Japan Society of NSW upcoming events

AJS-NSW 2026 Student Awards Evening (12 May 2026)

The 2026 University Awards Night will be held on Tuesday May 12th, at The Japan Foundation, Sydney.

Exploring Japanese Textiles (16 Jun 2026)