[Marsha (left) and Amanda (right) enjoying the iconic bamboo forests of Japan.]
How long have you been a member of the Japan Society of Boston?
Marsha: I bought Amanda a gift membership in 2015 and subsequently joined JSB myself in 2016.
Amanda: Yeah, she bought me a membership when I was finishing up my undergraduate studies.
What drew you to JSB?
Marsha: After Amanda had spent her college year in Japan and graduated from UMass Amherst in 2015 I wanted to find a way for her to keep in touch with Japan-related activities. After an internet search I found JSB and bought her a membership as a gift. Although we live in northeastern Connecticut, on the Massachusetts border, it seemed that JSB was the nearest Japan-related organization which met our interests and needs.
Amanda: What she said. I was just kind of like sure, this seems cool.
[Visiting iconic locations: Amanda with Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ) film character statue at the Ghibli museum. Marsha by the famous floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.]
How would you describe yourself and what you're passionate about?
Marsha: I am a family physician, retired since Sept 2022, with passion for health care being available and affordable for everyone.
I have a longstanding passion for crochet and have participated in many educational activities to expand my skills, and recently taught crochet classes to a group of teens. More recently I have started to learn weaving and plan to branch into Saori weaving at the Saori weaving studio in Worcester. The studio owner leads trips to Japan focused on Saori weaving and other textile arts, and I would love to join one of these trips.
I have developed an interest in British Tudor history and follow a number of historians’ podcasts.
And of course, my interest in Japan, which began many years ago when I first discovered Studio Ghibli films and introduced them to Amanda's older brothers, but really took off after I spent 3 weeks in Japan with Amanda in 2014. I enjoy exploring various aspects of Japanese culture and cuisine, and get multiple Japan-related feeds on Facebook, so continue to learn more about Japan. For several years I had a Facebook friendship with a delightful English-speaking elderly Japanese man, who sadly passed away last year.
We try to make trips to Boston area every couple of months to enjoy quality Japanese food and shop at Japanese stores.
Amanda: I’m currently looking to break into library services as a career path. I recently got a master's in that field. In the meantime, I work at the local public schools. I’m passionate about stories, both fiction and nonfiction, and what they can teach us. I have a long held love of anime and manga, though I do also enjoy a variety of American/English language media as well.
My other hobbies include tabletop gaming, writing short stories, and cooking. Lately I’ve been trying to teach myself watercolors.
[Animal appreciation: Amanda making friends with the famous deer in Nara.
Marsha with iconic Hachiko statue in Shibuya.]
Do you have a favorite event or program that you have participated in with JSB?
Marsha: Not just one favorite! Paper Lanterns film screening with director Barry Frechette and Shigeaki Mori at MFA in 2016. Tamagawa Taiko and Dance in 2017. Hokusai exhibit private tour at MFA in 2023. Boston Lyric Opera private rehearsal and opening night performance of Madama Butterfly in 2023. Showing of the film, The Boy and the Heron, and pre-show lecture at Coolidge Corner Theatre in 2024. Hasn’t happened yet (at time of writing), but looking forward to the Celebrate Japan Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Sept 2024.
Amanda: I generally agree with the ones she listed, but of those, the ones that really stood out to me were the Hokusai private tour and the lecture before The Boy and Heron. The subjects were so interesting and I really feel like I learned a lot.
What about JSB sets it apart from other groups within the Boston area?
Marsha: I am not sure about other groups, but JSB is inclusive of and welcoming to both Japanese and non-Japanese people with an interest in Japan.
Amanda: We were specifically drawn to the JSB because of its focus on Japanese culture, other Boston area groups weren’t even under consideration. Even so, there are a lot of great, unique events for members to join and I can’t imagine there are too many other organizations in the area that offer similar opportunities.
[Amanda and Marsha enjoying yakiniku at a restaurant in Hirakata, Japan.]
What would you say to somebody who is considering joining JSB?
Marsha: If you are interested in Japan and Japanese culture, and would like to connect with like-minded people, join JSB!
Amanda: If it’s already on your radar as something you’re interested in, go for it! They offer some truly unique experiences!
Interested in becoming a JSB Member? Click here or reach out to info@japansocietyboston.org for more details.
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