Junichi Mitsubori Masterclass

We are delighted to announce that Junichi Mitsubori will be returning to teach in May 2025. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the master!
Junichi Mitsubori is a world-famous wagashi master, a third-generation wagashi artisan of traditional Japanese sweets store Izumiya (いづみや) and the director of the Association of Japanese Sweets. He was born in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, in 1974. In 1995, he graduated from the Seika Sweets College in Tokyo. Mitsubori first gained attention when he won TV Tokyo's "TV Champion R" dessert artisan competition in 2010". Still, his popularity grew when he initiated a daily photo project on Instagram called "Wagashi of the Day" in 2015 to promote his preferred style, "Nerikiri" work, to a broader, younger audience. The image-centric platform became the perfect stage for Mitsubori's elaborate creations, and his followers have now reached over 300,000.
Mitsubori turns the wagashi presentation into a new art form. In 2016, he founded his school Kado Ichikaryu. Kado (way of wagashi), a term that echoes the meticulous care and preparation involved in Chado (way of tea), uses bespoke utensils and calculated gestures to produce a highly stylized wagashi experience. Sophisticated wagashi like Nerikiri originated were naturally made by artisans' hands, and the wagashi are perfect in appearance and taste.
To Mitsubori, the beauty of the performance is as crucial to Kado as the artistry of the dessert itself. He is currently performing and teaching Kado overseas. As a master of Kado, Mitsubori does not merely make food, he instead wants the audience to appreciate the performance and his subtle movements. You can see more of Mitsubori's works on his Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/junichi_mitsubori/

Japan Kado Ichika-ryu Association Certification System
From September 2023, the Kado Ichika-Ryu will conduct the Kado Certification Examination twice a year in spring and autumn, involving written and practical assessments.
In the dojo, unlike traditional external teaching, where multiple designs and techniques are observed, imitated, and created in a day, the focus is not on experiential learning but on deeply ingraining each individual's theoretical knowledge, etiquette, techniques, and moral values learned through wagashi.
Led by the world of tea ceremony akin to Zen, the spirit of wagashi has evolved beautifully, embodying these teachings.
In the modern and diverse world of contemporary wagashi, we dedicate ourselves daily to mastering the essence of "Wa" based on its roots and passing it on.
Kado Ichika-ryu
Junichi Mitsubori
Introduction:
The charter levels are specifically divided into four levels, Shodan (1st Dan), Nidan (2nd Dan), Shihan-dai (Instructor), Shihan (Master), with corresponding appraisal examinations set up for these four levels. Those who pass the Nerikiri Wagashi Appraisal Examination will receive a charter (qualification certificate) officially issued by the Japan Kado Ichika-ryu Association to prove that the learner has reached the corresponding confectionery and discipline level. (The Association will send the charter for successful candidates from the Japanese headquarters via international EMS.)




Junichi Mitsubori | Kado Ichika Advanced Nerikiri Wagashi Course 1
Date: 15~16/5 (Thu to Fri)
Time: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Instructor: Junichi Mitsubori
Medium of Instruction: Japanese (with Japanese-Mandarin translation)
Fee: HK$7,500
Junichi Mitsubori | Kado Ichika Advanced Nerikiri Wagashi Course 2
Date: 17~18/5 (Thu to Fri)
Time: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Instructor: Junichi Mitsubori
Medium of Instruction: Japanese (with Japanese-Mandarin translation)
Fee: HK$7,500
📌 "Advanced Nerikiri Wagashi Course" is part of the Kado Ichika Nerikiri Wagashi Systemic Course - Advanced Level. By completing both Advanced 1 and Advanced 2, participants can take the proficiency exam hosted by Junichi Mitsubori to obtain the professional Nerikiri Wagashi Instructor qualification.
📌 The content of the Kado Ichika Nerikiri Wagashi Systemic Course - Advanced Level is taught cyclically. If participants can only complete either Advanced 1 or Advanced 2 of the course this time, participants can join Junichi Mitsubori's next advanced course to qualify for the exam.
📌 Prior experience in making Nerikiri Wagashi is required to enrol on the advanced class.
📣 Enrol in two classes simultaneously and enjoy a discounted price of HK$14,000! 🎉
Course Highlights:
🎯 Building upon the familiarity and understanding of traditional scissor-cutting techniques and Junichi Mitsubori's original needle-cutting technique at the introductory level, this course takes you to a higher level of technical proficiency. You will master the authentic scissor-cutting techniques of Japanese Wagashi artisans and explore the diverse needle-cutting techniques of the Mitsubori style, achieving skill advancement and breakthroughs in technique.
🎯 You will learn the production process and techniques for creating large-sized Wagashi.
Learning Outcomes:
💥 Master advanced scissors and needle-cutting techniques
💥 Advanced colour blending and multi-colour assembly techniques
💥 Dynamic shaping techniques for leaf patterns (single leaf, double leaf, triple leaf)
💥 Derivative techniques for creating 3-sided chrysanthemum patterns
📌 The tuition fee includes a Certificate and all materials.
📌 The required tools will be provided to use during the class.
📌 The end time is just a rough estimate and will vary depending on actual progress.

Junichi Mitsubori | Kado Ichika Kogei Gashi Course
Date: 19~21/5 (Mon to Wed)
Time: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Instructor: Junichi Mitsubori
Medium of Instruction: Japanese (with Japanese-Mandarin translation)
Fee: HK$9,800
Kogei Gashi (craft wagashi) is a decorative sweet that realistically represents the four seasons and the beauty of nature in Japan using confectionery ingredients. Its origin can be traced back to the popular "offering sweets" in the Ooku (Inner Chamber of Castle) during the Edo period. From the Edo period to the present day, many designs have become more lifelike with the passage of time and the improvement of artisan skills. Craft wagashi (artisanal sweets) are commonly used for storefront decorations, banquets, event displays, and similar purposes. Although they are rarely consumed in modern times, the use of entirely edible materials is a primary requirement, and their creation demands high skill levels. These sweets can be preserved for a long time and are suitable for floral arrangements, offering more flexibility and a more realistic appearance than conventional sugar paste flowers. They are thinner and lighter and can be transformed into various flower patterns, making them ideal for long-term display.
📌 The tuition fee includes a Certificate and all materials.
📌 The required tools will be provided to use during the class.
📌 The end time is just a rough estimate and will vary depending on actual progress.

Junichi Mitsubori | Kado Ichika Mimicry Wagashi Course
Date: 23~24/5 (Fri to Sat)
Time: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Instructor: Junichi Mitsubori
Medium of Instruction: Japanese (with Japanese-Mandarin translation)
Fee: HK$7,500
The culture of mimicry wagashi is said to have originated from the Hinamatsuri Festival, where hina-gashi (decorative sweets for the Doll Festival on March 3rd) for daughters are essential. In a televised championship wagashi competition in Japan, Junichi Mitsubori sensei also created mimicry sweets and engaged in a professional skills showdown with fellow contestants. The competition rules stipulated:
1️⃣ No use of any core materials,
2️⃣ All parts of the creations must be edible,
3️⃣ 100% pure mimicry without using real items,
4️⃣ Only wagashi materials can be used.
In the past, ingredients used for wagashi were often used to make shrimp, but this time, there was a sudden inspiration to create more shellfish. It can be said that using ingredients from the land (the red bean paste material comes from beans) to recreate gifts from the ocean. Items created included salmon roe, vegetables 🥬, scallops, rolled sushi, wasabi, tuna 🐟, salmon 🍣, carrots 🥕, shrimp heads and tails 🦐, shiso leaves, shrimp meat 🍤, and squid 🦑.
📌 The tuition fee includes a Certificate and all materials.
📌 The required tools will be provided to use during the class.
📌 The end time is just a rough estimate and will vary depending on actual progress.