HAMA Otojiro
浜音次郎
Born: 7 September 1879 – Died: 18 June 1942
Particulars:
Otojiro was born in Shimozato, now part of Katsuura Cho in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. He arrived in Australia in 1887 at Rubibi / Broome, Western Australia, and was working as a seaman in Garramilla / Darwin, Northern Territory when the Pacific War broke out. At the time of his arrest, his belongings included clothing and bedding. He was taken to Adelaide River in Northern Territory, then shipped to Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia. He died of peritonitis at the age of 62. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Anna Sachiko Turnbull Wilkinson
Artist/s Statement:
I was moved by the richness of Otojiro’s life and hoped to capture this by illustrating three landscapes he belonged to during his 62 years. In 1879, Otojiro was born in Wakayama-ken. He moved to the Northern Territory when he was 8 years old, before the implementation of the White Australia Policy. He settled in Broome and worked as a seaman among others from the Japanese diaspora. In the days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Otojiro was interned at Loveday in South Australia. His personal effects were taken from him, including his suitcases, illustrated in the bottom right corner. I hope audiences consider the feeling of in-betweenness and complexity of belonging felt by those classified as ‘enemies’ during a time of war.
Artist Bio:
Anna Sachiko Turnbull Wilkinson (she/her) is a historian specialising in Asian Australian history, migration, memory, post-1945 conflicts, and the intersection of gender and race. Being part of the Japanese Australian diaspora, Anna is interested in how intimate and personal experiences intersect with larger histories and national narratives. Through her doctoral research, Anna is examining the social and cultural history of Asian Australian war bride marriages between 1945 and 1975. She is passionate about connecting with wider audiences and has given several public talks about her research, including a panel organised by Nikkei Australia for Women’s History Month 2025. Anna was also featured in ABC Radio National’s History Listen episode titled ‘My Grandmother is a Japanese War Bride’.