KOSHA Kana
古謝加那
Born: 16 March 1884 – Died: 22 July 1945
Particulars:
Kana was born in Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. He was a single man working as a farmer in Nouméa, Kanaky / New Caledonia when the Pacific War broke out. He was taken to Australia and interned first at Hay Internment Camp in New South Wales. He was transferred to Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia in 1943 as part of a camp reorganisation. He was in and out of hospital several times until his death, due to syphilitic paralysis at the Parkside Mental Hospital, less than one month before the end of the war. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Kumiko Ho
Artist/s Statement:
Initially, I thought Kana san was female. His first name ‘Kana’ is usually a female name in Okinawa, meaning ‘beloved’.
In the Cowra Japanese War Cemetery Online Database, it is recorded that his cause of death was syphilitic paralysis, and he was in and out of a mental hospital, where he eventually died. I imagined his life must have been very difficult, especially suffering from mental health issues overseas, so I wanted to shine light on his soul where he is now in peace, and is free. I channelled his spirit and wrote a ryuka (琉歌), which is an Okinawan language haiku.
I’m keeping my memories of time that has passed, but I am free now and wishing for world peace
I am a sanshin (Okinawan banjo) player and singer, so I sang this lyric in one of the famous Okinawan folk songs, which was my way of connecting to the soul. The song I sang was called ‘Nanyo Chijuya’, which means South islands’ little birds’. It’s about migrating to different islands in the south from Okinawa and longing for the memories of family and friends.
I believe that Mr Kosha is in a much happier place, sending love and peace to the world from Nirai Kanai (after life heaven in Okinawan language).
Artist Bio:
Kumiko Ho was born in Itoman City in Okinawa, Japan. She married and moved to Sydney, Australia in 2011. She learned to play the sanshin (Okinawan banjo) in Okinawa and performs in Australia.