Japan at Barbizon 2026: artists from Asago, bento, sake and a tea ceremony (17 October)

Barbizon is twinned with Asago, in Japan, and every year the painters’ village celebrates it. The Saturday 17 October, on Japan in Barbizon takes over the Town Hall grounds and the Théodore Rousseau studio-house, with a first this year: a Asago delegation led by its deputy mayor.

Two artists in residence

The sculptor Isamu Fujimoto and the painter Ayako Yodoi who worked in Barbizon and are exhibiting the works they produced during their stay, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, at the Théodore Rousseau’s home and studio. With Japanese artists coming to paint in the very place where Rousseau invented the modern landscape, there is something fitting about this exchange.

The programme

• 12 noon–2 pm : bento sales and a picnic in the Town Hall park
• 2.00–4.00 pm : sake tasting from the Hyogo region, an introduction to origami, origami jewellery and Japanese knives, cookery and baking workshops wagashi
• 4.00 pm–5.00 pm : tea ceremony in the wedding hall at the Town Hall

Book workshops

Entry to the event is free. The workshops kitchen, patisserie and the tea ceremony can be booked online at €10 per person, on the Japan ticket office in Barbizon. For further information, please contact the town hall on 01 60 66 41 92.