Keiko Morikawa (pictured above) the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic. (Submitted photo)

As a former educator and lifelong learner enthusiast, I enjoy attending the entrepreneur presentations hosted at the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). I recently attended presentations during the 1 Million Cups event at the college, where I met Keiko Morikawa, the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic. 

There, with the campus' Office of International Education, she prepared a cultural offering for CVTC students and staff; Morikawa presented rice balls, calligraphy, origami workshops and traditional Japanese games.

While living in the United States, she raises awareness and understanding of Japan in areas of the country which have relatively few Japan-related activities and exchange opportunities, Morikawa said.

In April, Morikawa came to my business, Decadent Gifts & Gallery (329 Water St., Eau Claire) to host a Japanese cultural workshop.

At the “Daruma Doll Workshop,” she introduced Daruma Dolls, which are traditional Japanese good-luck charms often used to set and achieve goals.

When you set a goal, you color the left eye of the doll; once your goal is accomplished, you color the right eye. Participants learned about the story behind the creation of these small, good-luck dolls and had the opportunity to make one of their own with air dry clay, acrylic paint and paint markers.

Everyone enjoyed the experience and left with a personalized memento that they had created themselves.

Morikawa has also taught a workshop showing the process of creating traditional washi paper, which she used to create small lanterns with candle holders. Her next workshop offered at Decadent Gifts and Gallery will occur from 6-7pm on June 30, where guests will make Japanese glass wind chimes.

At the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Morikawa – in collaboration with students in the Japanese Cultural Society – brought some of the very same calligraphy, origami and other interactive games to Culture Fest this past March.

Attendees, Morikawa said, had the opportunity to try Japanese foods like onigiri and dango (mochi), plus experience Purikura: a Japanese photo booth.

Workshops like these have continued on a monthly basis at UW-Stout Polytechnic. Recently, Morikawa invited Peaceful Forest, a globally acclaimed Japanese taiko drumming group, to showcase their performing arts to the campus body.

Morikawa will reside in Wisconsin through July 2027, and this summer, will work alongside the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire (126 N. Barstow St., Eau Claire) to instruct on torn paper art and origami folding patterns.

She actively seeks other local venues and organizations to host visual arts workshops, share Japanese culture and more. Additional topics can be offered upon request.

Examples of origami works by Morikawa, shaped in the form of Studio Ghibli characters from the film, "My Neighbor Totoro": totoros in blue and grey, with soot sprites in black. (Submitted photo)

“I am looking for other locations where I can offer these cultural experiences,” Morikawa said. “People can contact me directly, but I do get booked up. It helps if they can book a month or more in advance.”

For local businesses and organizations interested in Keiko Morikawa’s visual arts programming, reach out via email at morikawak@uwstout.edu. New event announcements and more of Morikawa’s creative works can be viewed online through Instagram (@joi_keiko_wi).