[Peter and his family climbed Mt. Fuji this past August. They are pictured in front of a beautiful sunset at Station 8, where he and his wife got engaged 21 years earlier.]
How long have you been a member of the Japan Society of Boston?
I have been a proud member for many years (at least 20+), sorry I don't know how many.
What drew you to JSB?
I believe it is my 30+ relationship with the sister cites; Salem, MA and Ota City, Tokyo. As well as my relationship with Keiko Thayer and Peter Grilli (Board members of JSB). The first photo below pictures the sign we donated describing the Sister City relationship. It sits outside the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. As you can see, a similar sign is located in Ota, describing Salem and our 30 year relationship. This relationship started because of Edward Sylvester Morse, the third Executive Director of the then Peabody Museum. Actually the Peabody Essex Museum and the Ota Folk Museum became Sister Museums before we became Sister Cities. To provide some more context, Dr. Morse is considered the father of Japanese Archeology and discovered the Omori Shell Mounds in Ota.
[Peter with Sister city signs in both Salem, MA and Ota City, Tokyo]
How would you describe yourself and what you're passionate about?
I think my first priority is to make people laugh and smile. While I was in education I had over 200 fun ties, 80 hats, and many costumes that I would wear in school. As long as students and staff came into the building each day with a smile or a laugh, I knew that day was going to be a good day for everyone. My life's passion has become anything Japanese related, as well as golf (LOL)! I was selected to represent Salem, MA in Ota City, Tokyo back in 1993 and I lived and worked in Ota for over 6 months. I then started the adult and student exchanges going to Ota after I returned to the U.S. I have also helped to organize many trips for the Assembly Members, adults, and students traveling to Salem from Ota. My main function has been working as a liaison for both cities. I have also been a past president of the Salem Cultural Exchange and have been the Chairman of the Board since its inception. To date, over 2, 800 people have traveled back and forth between our two cities, stayed in each others homes, and become friends and family.
[Peter's first day in Ota as the Salem Goodwill Ambassador to Ota in 1993,
commemorated in a Japanese news publication]
Do you have a favorite event or program that you have participated in with JSB?
I enjoy reading the JSB newsletter and watching the videos included in it. It is great to see what is happening in this area in all things related to Japan.
What about JSB sets it apart from other groups within the Boston area?
I believe it is the long history of bringing people together to learn and celebrate the amazing Japanese culture and the people.
What would you say to somebody who is considering joining JSB?
I highly recommend you join, but then ask you to also participate and become an active member and/or get involved with your local Japanese community activities and associations.
[The most recent exchange of 28 students and 5 chaperones from Ota City visiting Salem]
Interested in becoming a JSB Member? Click here or reach out to info@japansocietyboston.org for more details.
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