Curiosity, Culture & Context
31 October 2025
Dear Friends,
One of the exciting developments this autumn has been the Schumacher Japan Festival, organised by Miyu Tokoi, alumnus and co-founder of Schumacher College Supporters Japan.
From late September to early October, faculty members Emma Kidd, Rachel Sweeney, and Jay Tompt brought some of the Schumacher experience to many places in Japan through courses, lectures, and a variety of collaborations co-created with Miyu and local teachers.
But the story of this journey begins last year and emerged from challenging circumstances just as so many enriching Schumie adventures do. In August 2024, Kai Sawyer, brought a group of academics, professionals, and other participants from Japan for a week at the Old Postern with Satish Kumar and faculty. They received a good grounding in the care, pedagogy, and topics of concern typically covered in our graduate courses. It turned out to be the same week the closure of the College was announced.
Like almost every community that emerges from the Schumacher experience, this one embraced the College with love and solidarity. ‘If this College is to close, then let there be an abundance of Colleges,’ they seemed to say. Many offers of material support, ideas, and hardy encouragement to fearlessly grasp the opportunities to come. From this was born Schumacher College Supporters in Japan.
And so, with the generous support of this group and many local collaborators, the Festival unfolded. A week-long course in Chiba, nourished by permaculture and macrobiotic food, sheltered in traditional farm houses, fully engaged senses, bodies, and minds, felt just how a Japanese Schumacher course should feel. We even had a session with elders and old friends, Helena Norberg Hodge, Shinichi Tsuji (Keibo), and Satish.
From there to Tokyo for lectures and workshops for 90+ first year undergraduates at the innovative Musashino University’s wellbeing programme sparked real excitement. This programme’s leaders were in that group at the Old Postern last year and a few had come back for another visit this past summer, along with some of the students. The bonds of friendship are growing stronger.
In Kyoto, Emma and Jay led a course in social innovation with professionals of various kinds, supported again by an amazing group of facilitators and translators. Dr. Tekkan Shaku, gave an incredibly interesting talk on engaged buddhism, including sharing some of his work in the local community, then dialogued with Emma and Jay on some of the philosophical foundations of Schumacher College.
In Osaka, Rachel and local collaborator Tania Coke, founder of the Flying Carpet Factory, organised a dance workshop inspired by butoh and other movement traditions. And then another movement workshop back in Kyoto.
In Tsuwano, Emma and Jay led a two-day workshop for local high school students on the topic of place-based transformation. This high school, and these students, are part of an effort to regenerate the town led by Shinobu Nakanishi, Masahiro Tago and Brendan Barrett. They’ve been organising conferences and social enterprises with them over the last few years - here again strong bonds of love and friendship are evident and have now embraced Emma and Jay who vow to return.
Finally, Miyu and Jay visited Fujino for events with Transition Japan, which seemed to naturally disclose the meaning of the entire trip. Friendship. Collaboration. Solidarity. Reciprocity. Community. Schumacher-inspired learning can happen here.
There are more lessons to draw from this experience. Or perhaps a deepened appreciation of lessons we’ve been learning over the past year. We need to open to the world, be curious, seek understanding and new challenges. There are collaborative opportunities in many places and by fearlessly diving into new cultures and new contexts, we emerge with greater insight into what’s needed and what we might contribute. We can be a catalyst and we have well-earned knowhow to share. And by humbly listening and learning from others, we can find new relevance in these challenging times.
Huge gratitude to Miyu, the Schumacher Supporters Japan, and all the collaborators and friends who participated in this experience.
More adventures in learning to come…
The Schumacher College Team
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Kai Sawyer explaining the use of solar power with touring students at
the Peace and Permaculture Dojo.