Keiji Oshima

Keiji Oshima, age 78, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at home after an extended illness.

Keiji was born on November 28, 1946 in Aicho Japan, the son of Aiko and Haruko Oshima. He grew up in a small village in Seto, Japan and started traveling the world in his early twenties. He met his wife while on his world travels in Kenya, as she was also exploring the world at that time. They continued traveling the world together as kindred spirits and married in Japan at the end of their travels abroad.

He operated several businesses before discovering his true passion of cultivating and crafting bamboo. He settled in Hendersonville and often spoke of how the climate most reminded him of his home in Japan. He was a foremost expert in bamboo across the United States and many sought his expertise. He offered tours of his bamboo farm to share his love of bamboo with others and he also hosted interns, as it was important to him to pass along his knowledge to future generations.

He was a talented farmer and craftsman creating many unique pieces of bamboo art. He also crafted and played Shakuhachi flutes, many of which have homes all over the world. He has been featured in various newspaper articles in Hendersonville as well as a feature article in Our State magazine in 2011 titled Bamboo Country (Bamboo Country | Our State). He was also featured in a video by the same name produced by UNC-TV in 2012 (Bamboo Country from OUR STATE - YouTube). He was also featured in a new video released by PBS this year titled The Voice of Bamboo (REEL SOUTH | The Voice of Bamboo | Season 10 | Episode 1003 | PBS).

Keiji was passionate about life and he was a wonderfully expressive storyteller who loved sharing details about his childhood and his world travels. He loved his family, travel, food and music; and his smile and laugh could light up any room. He was able to deeply connect with people, leaving a lasting impression even after only a brief encounter.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Stefani; his daughter, Miho (Chris); and son, Joji (Joy); and his grandchildren, Michael (Aleks), Emery, and Charlotte. He is also survived by his sisters, Mieko (Makoto) Mori and Hiromi (Akira) Hatori; and numerous extended family as well as many friends who were like family.

A celebration of life gathering for Keiji will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Edneyville Community Center located at 15 Ida Rogers Road, Edneyville, North Carolina. Please come as you are to celebrate his life and bring your fondest memories of him to share with family and friends. We would also welcome you to share by sending any photos and memories to oshima.family@outlook.com

The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his memory to: Mountain Aging Partners 105 King Creek Blvd Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792 Attention: Meals on Wheels program or Four Seasons Foundation 211 N Main Street Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792.