ISHIBASHI Uza
Born: 18 April 1942 – Died: 21 April 1942
Particulars:
Uza was born in Waranga Hospital in Victoria, Australia when his father Umakichi and mother Masayo, and his brother and sister were all interned at Tatura Internment Camp. His father had been working as a trader fisherman, while his mother was on domestic duties in Buka, Bougainville, New Guinea, now Papua New Guinea. Both his siblings were born in Buka. When the Pacific War broke out, Uza’s family were taken to Australia to be interned. Uza died from a congenital heart defect when he was 3 days old. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Arisa Yura with Renon Yura Yuen
Artist/s Statement:
The national bird of of Papua New Guinea is the Raggiana bird of paradise. It carries Uza’s name back to where his family lived before the war, before they were all taken from their home, back across the ocean.
Artist Bio:
Arisa Yura is a Japanese Australian actor, voice artist, writer, and taiko drummer, working extensively across theatre, film, radio, and television. Along with her son Renon Yura Yuen, Arisa created artworks for the five children who died while they were interned in Australia.