[David and Naomi Wilsey’s wedding picture from 1973 (left) and on their 50th anniversary in Asakusa, Tokyo in April 2023(right). The kimono is from Naomi’s grandparents with the Endo monsho (crest). During this trip, they visited Tokyo, Kyoto, and Shimoda.]
How long have you been a member of the Japan Society of Boston?
David and Naomi: Our guess is about 10 years.
What drew you to JSB?
David and Naomi: We are both deeply interested in Japanese culture and heritage.
Japan Society of Boston (JSB) provides informative programs, networking opportunities and historical and current views of Japan. We have traveled to Japan for work, for martial arts, family, and friend visits, and for vacations. Many of our interests are tied to Japanese culture and the JSB offers ways to experience and learn more about those.
Naomi: I am a sansei, third-generation Japanese American, with relatives in Japan. As time passes, I have become more interested in various aspects of the culture, the people, and the customs of Japan. As a child, one of my favorite summer activities was going to Obon Odori
practices and then dancing in kimono for the folk dancing and ceremony. A grandmother lived with my family who only spoke Japanese. I was able to speak with her in Japanese up to the age of seven. After she went to live with other relatives, I did not practice Japanese, but I still remember children’s words and phrases.
David: I think that my interest in Japanese culture started back when I took a course in Japanese Art and History at the University of Colorado. And my interest in Japanese
heritage was kindled during trips to stay with Naomi’s grandparents (Issei – first generation Japanese Americans) in Maui, Hawaii. They practiced calligraphy, sumi-e, and
taught Ohara style Ikebana, which we were steeped in during our visits. And, of course, being married to my beautiful Japanese-American wife of 51 years has always influenced my interests.
How would you describe yourself and what you're passionate about?
David and Naomi: We live in Needham and have a Japanese chashitsu (tearoom) in
our home that we use daily for meditation, exercising, and tea ceremony. We travel to our favorite places as much as we can, and Japan is one of those special places. We read books by Japanese authors and books about Japan. We enjoy Japanese food that we make or order from restaurants like Maruichi in Brookline. We give informal travel advice to our friends and family when they visit Japan for the first time. We both enjoy exercising in classes, at the gym, and we try to take a walk daily.
David: I am a retired computer engineer. I study and teach martial arts and am active in the Dai Nippon Budoku Kai organization, which is a martial arts organization based in
Kyoto. My activities have included training sessions and performing demonstrations in Kyoto and elsewhere in Japan. I have been involved in the Ohara school of Ikebana for about 6 years, taking classes and more recently doing demonstrations and making flower arrangements for public display. I practice Cha-no-yu (tea ceremony), which I learned from Kaji Aso Sensei in Boston.
Naomi: I am a retired marketing manager and now spend much of my time on art. I have a home studio where I focus on watercolor painting including sumi-e Japanese brush painting. I teach private sumi-e lessons and watercolor lessons. I volunteer as a board member for two art organizations – the Dedham Art Association and Needham Open Studios. For hobbies, I have collections of items from Japan that include souvenirs, family heirlooms, and gifts. My collections include kimono/yukata (summer kimono) and obi (sashes), furoshiki (fabric wrapping cloths), maneki-neko (lucky cats), hashi-oki (chopstick rests), and uchiwa (round fans).
[Maneki-neko collection (above), one of Naomi's collections of Japanese culture.]
["Spring Show" watercolor on rice paper, 43"x33", by Naomi Wilsey. (right)]
Do you have a favorite event or program that you have participated in with JSB?
David and Naomi: The in-person Kodo incense workshop with the CEO of Shoyeido
incense Company, which was held several years ago.
David: I really enjoyed the Kintsugi hands-on workshop and the online Gion Festival
presentation.
Naomi: The daifuku mochi cooking class online was my favorite. It was our first time
trying to make the red azuki bean-filled mochi (pounded sticky rice). We made
quite a mess in the kitchen, but it was fun and tasted great!
What sets JSB apart from other groups in the Boston area?
David: JSB offers a wide variety of activities, online events, and networking
opportunities. All of these are advertised ahead of time in the monthly newsletter
that we receive.
Naomi: The variety and number of activities that are available. There are live events
and online events making the activities more accessible. Having an up-to-date
calendar of Japanese-related events in the area is extremely helpful.
What would you say to somebody who is considering joining JSB?
David: I would forward them a copy of the JSB newsletter to let them look over the
events.
Naomi: If you are interested in the people, culture, and country of Japan, this is a
great bridge to insights. The benefits and offerings span online and in-person
events. If you are thinking of traveling to Japan for the first time, JSB can provide
a great introduction.
Interested in becoming a JSB Member? Click here or reach out to info@japansocietyboston.org for more details.
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