IN MEMORIAM: JAY MOCHIZUKI (1946-2026)
Akihiro "Jay" Mochizuki (望月秋廣), master craftsman, entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for Japanese arts and culture, passed away on July 17, 2026, at the age of 79.
Jay was born on October 26, 1946, in Tokyo, Japan. In 1964, he moved to the United States and studied sculpting and oil painting at the San Francisco Art Institute. He had an innate gift and a passion that fueled his lifelong appreciation for various arts.
During a long ship voyage home across the Pacific, Jay met Midori, the woman who would become his wife and lifelong partner. They married in Japan in 1969, and Jay soon joined Winchester as manager of its Tokyo Sales Division. After welcoming their daughter, Lisa, the young family once again felt the pull of California. In 1975, they returned to the United States to pursue Japanese cucumber farming, and in 1983, that agricultural venture brought them to Houston, Texas—a city that would become their permanent home and the place where Jay would leave his greatest mark.
Over the years, Jay's career evolved from artist to businessman, farmer, custom home builder, and founder of a home dialysis company. Yet even as his professional pursuits changed, one purpose remained constant: creating opportunities for Japanese arts and culture to flourish.
Together, Jay and Midori devoted themselves to preserving and sharing Japanese culture in Houston. Through tea ceremony, Japanese classical dance, Japanese folk music, kendo, and countless community programs, they helped introduce generations of Houstonians to the richness and traditions of Japan.
One challenge, however, would come to define Jay's legacy. For years, Houston organizations had to borrow taiko drums from Dallas whenever they wished to present Japanese drumming. Jay believed Houston deserved its own.
In 1992, he began teaching himself the centuries-old art of taiko making. While traditional taiko are carved from a single tree trunk, such timber was unavailable in Houston. Undeterred, Jay developed his own laminated-wood construction method. Through years of experimentation and craftsmanship, he mastered every stage of the process—from designing and shaping each drum to lacquering the wood, stretching the hides, and completing the final finish. His ingenuity allowed him to create instruments renowned for both their beauty and their sound, establishing him as one of the pioneering taiko artisans in the United States.
Jay's vision extended far beyond the instruments themselves. In 1996, he founded Kaminari Taiko of Houston, giving the city its first permanent taiko ensemble. Serving as Chairman and Producer, he guided the organization's growth into one of the nation's leading taiko ensembles, captivating audiences through performances and educational programs at Japan Festival Houston and throughout the United States.
For Jay, taiko was never simply about performance. He believed the artistry and spirit of Japanese drumming could educate, heal, and bring people together. Through Kaminari Taiko, he established weekly classes, educational programs in public schools, and even workshops serving children with disabilities and individuals facing terminal illness. His work inspired countless people to discover confidence, friendship, and a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture through the shared rhythm of the drum.
In 2018, Jay realized another longtime dream with the establishment of the Mochizuki Cultural Arts Center, creating a permanent home for Kaminari Taiko, Urasenke Tankokai tea ceremony classes, and community gatherings dedicated to Japanese culture.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions to strengthening friendship and cultural understanding between Japan and the United States, the Government of Japan awarded Jay the Foreign Minister's Commendation in 2023, one of the nation's highest honors bestowed upon individuals for outstanding service to international relations.
Diagnosed with cancer in 2022, Jay faced his illness with the same quiet determination that characterized every chapter of his life. Even as his health declined, his thoughts remained focused on the future of the organizations, traditions, and community he had worked so tirelessly to build.
Jay is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Midori Mochizuki; his daughter, Lisa; his granddaughter, Nikkie Mari Sprenger; and countless friends, students, artists, performers, and members of the Japanese and Houston communities whose lives were enriched by his generosity, mentorship, and vision.
In lieu of flowers, the Mochizuki family kindly requests that those wishing to honor Jay's memory consider making a memorial contribution to Kaminari Taiko of Houston.
