Wednesday, August 12
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
Lansdowne and Horticultural Drives, Philadelphia, PA 19131 | Directions

Tickets: $75  – Includes a copy of Azumi’s new book,
“YOSHUKU: The Japanese Art of Manifesting”

(JASGP Members must login first to receive a $10 discount)

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JASGP is excited to welcome Azumi Uchitani to Shofuso for an exploration of Japanese wisdom, life philosophy, and traditional customs of yoshuku, or “pre-celebration,” followed by meditation and a calligraphy workshop.  In keeping with the season the focus will be on the Obon holiday.  We hope you will join us for this memorable event.

The workshop will include:

• Introduction to Azumi’s new book, “YOSHUKU: The Japanese Art of Manifesting”
• Discussion of a chapter relevant to Obon
• Azumi will lead a short, guided meditation
• Calligraphy session where guests will create the Kanji character Hasu (Lotus) which is related to the Obon holiday

”Obon is beautifully completed by the presence of the lotus flower, a symbol of the Pure Land in Buddhism. It reminds us of the sacred connection between life, death, and renewal. Often offered on Buddhist altars during Obon, the lotus expresses our gratitude to our ancestors and honors the blessings that have been passed down through generations.”  – Azumi

About Azumi Uchitani

Azumi Uchitani is a Japanese-born author, conceptual artist, and cultural educator whose work bridges ancient Japanese wisdom and modern life. Her book talks have been presented across academic, cultural and corporate contexts, including Trinity College Dublin, corporate team-building programmes, and global corporate wellbeing events. A TEDx speaker with international corporate training and lecturing experience across Europe and the United States, she brings a grounded intercultural perspective to themes of personal growth, leadership, wellbeing and personal transformation. She is the author of Yoshuku: The Japanese Art of Manifesting, published in 10 languages worldwide as of summer 2026. She serves as an active council member of Ireland Japan Association, leading cultural educational projects to bridge cultures and co-founder of Japanese Wisdom Academy. Based in Dublin, she divides her time between New York, Amsterdam and London. Visit her website at: https://www.azumiuchitani.com/, Instagram and on her YouTube channel.

YOSHUKU: The Japanese Art of Manifesting

A practical, beautifully illustrated guide to the ancient Japanese art of manifesting and pre-celebration, full of wise guidance on how to slow down, tune into the rhythms of the universe, and fulfill your destiny.

During a particularly tough season of life, a Buddhist monk told Azumi that the most beautiful sakura cherry blossoms emerge in the spring following the fiercest typhoons; it’s only because of the storms that the trees endure, invigorate, and develop deeper roots to survive. This is true for humans, too: while we are on our journeys to blossom, we will face hardships, but those are the very opportunities for growth that we need to lean into.

Azumi reveals how Japanese wisdom, life philosophy, and traditional customs of yoshuku, or “pre-celebration,” can uplift and enrich not only the lives of those who practice it but everyone around them, too.

Yoshuku celebrates gratitude for what we are yet to have. Learn how to integrate ancient rituals with a modern lifestyle, immerse yourself in harmony, and uncover the secrets of acceptance in order to manifest your soul’s wishes.