IZUMI Tsunetaro
Born: 18 November 1886 – Died: 26 June 1943
Particulars:
Tsunetaro was born in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. His wife and registered next of kin Izumi Iwano remained in Japan. He immigrated to Australia around 1910 aboard the Minderoo. He worked in Rubibi / Broome as a sailmaker for the Streeter & Male Company. When the authorities arrested the Japanese at the start of the Pacific War, Tsunetaro was ordered to hand over his belongings – carpentry tools, sailmaker tools, and furniture to the value of 250 pounds. He also handed 1 pound 10 shillings to the police. In early February 1942, he was transferred to Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia via Harvey. Tsunetaro was admitted to the camp hospital on 28 June 1943, where he died after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 56. He now rests in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Jo Anne Shiosaki
More info:
Michael Jalaru Torres, Jo Anne Shiosaki, and Jai Newton
Artist/s Statement:
As a fourth-generation Nikkei, I acknowledge the deep historical roots and contributions of the Japanese to the pearling industry across northern Australia. From the 1870s onward, hundreds of luggers were constructed to support the pearling and fishing trade. The craftsmanship of sailmakers played an essential role in this era, as their expertise ensured the sails could endure the harsh and unpredictable weather, especially during cyclone season. The luggers and their crews symbolise a legacy of adaptation, endurance, and collaboration across cultures.
–Jai Newton (photographed)
Artist Bio:
Michael Jalaru Torres is an Indigenous fine art photographer and poet, born in 1976, in Broome, Western Australia. He is a Djugun-Yawuru man with tribal connections to the Gooniyandi / Jabbir Jabbir / Ngarluma peoples. He draws inspiration from the unique landscapes and people of the Kimberley region, which feature prominently in his work.
Jo Anne Shiosaki is a fourth-generation Nikkei who lives in Rubibi / Broome, Western Australia. Jo’s great-grandparents were one of the earliest Japanese families to migrate to Broome in the late 1800s. Her great-grandfather served as the President of the Japan Club in Broome before the war. She acknowledges the Nikkei community of Broome for helping to create these photographic images, and their willingness to share deeply personal experiences in order to preserve the memories of those who endured internment.
Jai Newton was born in Broome, Western Australia, but spent his school years on the east coast of Australia. After completing his university studies, he returned to Broome as a health professional, driven by a strong commitment to give back to his community. Jai now serves as a manager in Indigenous health, playing a key role in improving health outcomes and supporting culturally appropriate care. His return home was also for deeply personal reasons – he wanted his young family to grow up with a strong connection to the land and sea, which are central to his cultural heritage. Jai’s great-grandfather was interned during World War II and then deported. By the early 1950s, Australia was rebuilding diplomatic and trade relations with Japan, allowing the return of some Japanese workers in the pearling industries. And fortunately, Jai’s great-grandfather was able to return and reunite with his family.