KUNIMARU Umahiko
Born: 11 December 1870 – Died: 27 January 1946
Particulars:
Umahiko was born in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. He was a market gardener in Kanaky / New Caledonia when the Pacific War broke out. He was taken to Australia and was interned in Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia. He was admitted to the camp hospital five months after the war ended from cardiac failure and died soon after. He was 75 years old. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Yoshiko Ito and Takuya Ito
Artist/s Statement:
Umahiko was from Kumamoto’s Tsukisemura, located in the northern part of what is now Tamana City. A collection of photos showcasing the landscapes, river, and fields of Tsukisemura was compiled and arranged into a collage. Since Tsukisemura was merged into Tamana City, a map was included to indicate the general location. As Kunimaru was a Buddhist, an image of the Great Bodhisattva Koen statue was included.
Artist Bio:
Yoshiko Ito and Takuya Ito are a mother and son team. Japanese born and based in Sydney, Australia, they have a long standing relationship with the people of Cowra where the Japanese Cemetery is situated. Yoshiko is a visual artist, metalsmith, and origamist. Takuya is a digital and screen based artist and animator.