RSN Japan Satellite
of Hand Embroidery since 1872.
About the Japan Satellite
The Royal School of Needlework Japan Satellite was established in 2010 and offers the RSN Certificate and Diploma Courses in Tokyo.
The Japan Satellite is run by Emi Nimura, who graduated at the top of her class from the RSN Apprenticeship in 2003. With the official approval of the RSN, she is responsible for the operation of the Japan Satellite and teaches its Certificate and Diploma Courses.
About the Tutor
Emi Nimura
Emi Nimura began her career as a freelance beadwork artist, publishing her work in books and magazines and running her own embroidery classes. In September 2000, she moved to the UK to study at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN).
She is the only Japanese graduate of the RSN Apprenticeship, the school’s former three-year professional training programme. During her Apprenticeship, she won several awards in the RSN’s annual competitions, including an award for Silkwork and Top Student of the Year, both presented by Princess Alexandra. The following year, she received the Gold & Silver Drawers Prize for her Coronation Goldwork project. She graduated at the top of her class in 2003.
After returning to Japan, she established and taught British traditional embroidery classes in Tokyo and Nagoya, including at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Culture Salon, NHK Culture Aoyama and Vogue Gakuen.
In 2010, with the official approval of the Royal School of Needlework, she established the RSN Japan Satellite and has since taught for both the RSN in the UK and the Japan Satellite.
She is the author of a book on Goldwork published as part of the Royal School of Needlework’s embroidery technique series. She has also published several books on Goldwork and embroidery in Japan and has contributed her work to numerous other publications.
Her professional embroidery work includes contributing to the embroidery for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 and to the embroidery for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Information
To ensure a smooth and consistent learning experience, some aspects of the RSN Japan Satellite operate slightly differently from the RSN in the UK.
We recommend reading the information below carefully before applying, so that you can decide whether the class structure and arrangements are right for you.
Certificate & Diploma Courses
The RSN Japan Satellite offers both the Certificate and Diploma Courses.
Students beginning the Certificate Course learn the four core techniques in the following order:
Jacobean Crewelwork → Canvaswork → Silk Shading → Goldwork
The techniques must be taken in this order and cannot be rearranged. Students are not required to complete all four techniques and may choose to finish their studies after completing any stage of the Certificate Course.
The Diploma Course is also available at the Japan Satellite for students who have completed the Certificate Course and wish to continue their studies.
※Please refer to the Royal School of Needlework website for further details about the Certificate & Diploma Courses.
Language
Classes are primarily conducted in Japanese, but tuition and individual guidance can also be provided in English.
Class ＆ Schedule
Classes are currently held once a month on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm. There are no classes in August.
Students normally enrol in either the Saturday class or the Sunday class and attend the same class each month.
Unlike the RSN in the UK, the Japan Satellite does not use the Bookeo booking system. Classes are organised on a fixed monthly schedule rather than being booked individually for each session.
If space is available in both classes, students may attend both Saturday and Sunday classes and study two techniques concurrently.
As students have a fixed place in their chosen class, missed classes cannot be transferred to another date and tuition fees are not refunded for absences.
When applications for new students are open, the published class schedule generally shows dates for approximately the next six months. Class dates beyond the published schedule are provided only to students who have been accepted onto the course.
Communication
The Japan Satellite uses LINE (a messaging app similar to WhatsApp) as its main method of day-to-day communication with students. It is used for absence notifications, information about upcoming classes, communication about materials, and general class announcements.
Students are asked to use LINE once they have been offered a place on the course, as it is also used for communication and preparations before their first class.
Like WhatsApp, LINE can be used through its app on smartphones, computers and tablets.
Fees & Materials
Course fees are set by the Royal School of Needlework in the UK and are paid in British pounds (GBP) by bank transfer to the RSN’s UK bank account.
Please refer to the Royal School of Needlework website for the current Certificate & Diploma Course fees.
Materials are charged separately. Depending on the technique and the materials or equipment required, they may be ordered from the RSN when paying the course fee, supplied by the Japan Satellite, or purchased independently by the student.
※Please refer to the Royal School of Needlework website for the current Certificate & Diploma Course fees.
Admission
Each class is limited to six students.
The RSN Japan Satellite recruits new students only when places are available, usually around three months before the April or September intake.
Recruitment information is announced through our Japanese-language mailing list. When applications open, an online application form is made available, and places are offered in the order in which applications are received by the Japan Satellite. The latest recruitment status can also be found on the Japan Satellite website; however, announcements about new application opportunities are sent to mailing-list subscribers first.
There is currently no English-language mailing list. English-speaking applicants are therefore encouraged to subscribe to the Japanese-language mailing list and use a browser or AI translation tool to read the announcements.
If a place becomes available due to the withdrawal of an accepted applicant or for another reason, registration for a waiting list may be opened on the Japan Satellite website.
Once a student has been accepted, the Japan Satellite will provide information about the procedures required for enrolment. Using this information, students are responsible for completing the required documents in English, communicating directly with the Royal School of Needlework in the UK, submitting the required documents, and arranging payment of their course fees to the RSN.
Assessment & Certification
Students who wish to obtain the Certificate or Diploma, or who wish to have their work formally assessed, may send their completed work together with the required documentation by international post to the Royal School of Needlework in the UK for assessment.
The Certificate or Diploma is awarded by the Royal School of Needlework when all the required pieces of work have been assessed and meet the required standard.
Students who are taking the course for personal enjoyment are not required to submit their work for assessment.
Location
The RSN Japan Satellite is located in Nishi-Ogikubo, Tokyo, approximately a five-minute walk from JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station on the Chuo Line.
Before Contacting Us
Before contacting the RSN Japan Satellite, please check the Courses and Q&A & Contact pages below, where you will find more detailed information about learning with us. These pages are currently available in Japanese only. If you do not read Japanese, we recommend using your browser’s translation function or an AI translation tool.
If you still have any questions after reviewing this information, please feel free to contact us by email.
Email: rsn@eminimura.com
