[Joyce visiting the Japanese countryside with her Japanese co-worker and friend]
How long have you been a member of the Japan Society of Boston?
I have been a member of JSB for nearly 2 years, joining during the pandemic. Finding a new community of like-minded Japanese culture enthusiasts, was a real gift during challenging times. Even though I am in New York, I have found many wonderful opportunities to join JSB events remotely.
What drew you to JSB?
Japanese literature! Between The Lines: A Monthly Discussion on Medieval Japanese Women’s Literature called out to me! Fascinating literature, history, women’s lives, all in a furoshiki, Japanese wrapper. I could not resist! Then I found other very interesting programming, from cooking, to film, to Japanese arts. One goal of mine is to make the trip to Boston, to participate in person to JSB events.
[Joyce taking a pottery class in Japan with her husband]
How would you describe yourself and what you're passionate about?
I am a person with curiosity and passion for learning, whether it be in business, or the arts. I worked in real estate finance for decades, and loved the challenges it presented. I helped to grow an asset class that became a universally accepted investment sector, for institutions worldwide. Learning about how business was done in various parts of the world, to figuring out financial structures for investments all provided intellectual nourishment.
My world was greatly expanded when I had the opportunity to live and work in Japan,
thanks to my husband’s job at the time. I was fortunate to be hired by a Japanese bank,
which was one of the best working and learning experiences I had. Not only learning
a different approach to business, but making wonderful friendships and appreciating my own country through a new lens. I also apply my curiosity to painting and drawing as well as reading. Seeking ways through mark making to express my experiences has been challenging yet rewarding in finding new ways to create and bring forward and interpret my interest in Asian and European art history.
My husband and I enjoy travel, curating our own trips, based on our interests, which include cooking. We typically intermingle grocery store visits in new countries in between stops at museums and local restaurants. Returning home with new recipes in mind to share with friends and family are a way of keeping our adventures present. One reason why we eat a lot of Japanese home cooking.
Do you have a favorite event or program that you have participated in with JSB?
Behind the Lines, the JSB’s wonderful program on historical women’s diary writings, has proven to be more than I ever expected. Due to the wonderful Christopher Ellars who leads our group and my fellow readers, who I learn so much from in every session, it has been a great source of education, expansion of my personal reading, and a continuum of thematic reading which I had not experienced before. And we have a great group of people, who I look forward to seeing and talking with monthly.
[Joyce learning how to make washi paper in Japan]
What about JSB sets it apart from other groups within the Boston area?
Not living in the Boston area, I cannot respond appropriately. However, I do live and am active in New York, and can say that JSB is special in its impressively diverse and unique cultural offerings. The commitment to provide educational, interesting and entertaining Japanese based programming is impressive. It punches way beyond its weight, in terms of offerings, considering the comparatively small support team producing so many treasures!
What would you say to somebody who is considering joining JSB?
Even from afar, it is a worthy and rewarding group to join. The creative spirit, kindness and enthusiasm that starts with Naoko Takayanagi, the Executive Director, and Joanne Ha, the Program Manager, is contagious and reaches its members, no matter where they are located. They are welcoming and supportive, always making me feel part of their community in Boston, even though I am miles away.
Interested in becoming a JSB Member? Click here or reach out to info@japansocietyboston.org for more details.
Comments