NISHI Kumazo
西熊蔵
Born: 23 December 1896 – Died: 14 November 1945
Particulars:
Kumazo came from the small fishing village of Tanami in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. He was a fisherman and sailed around the world, before arriving in Tonga around the late 1920s to early 1930s. He worked in the Banno Corporation shop and the storehouse in Nukuʻalofa and as a captain of their sailboat. Kumazo married Manusiu from Tokomololo, Tonga and they had two children. When the Pacific War broke out, Kumazo was taken to Aotearoa / New Zealand and was interned on Matiu / Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. He was hospitalised with tuberculosis from 1943. In 1944, he petitioned to return home to Tonga, as the German internees were then being allowed to return to Tonga. He was not given permission. Kumazo died three months after the end of the war, never having been able to leave the hospital.
His wife Manusiu requested his ashes be sent home to her in Tonga. His remains were brought back to Tonga by a friend from a neighbouring town in Wakayama Prefecture, who also had a family in Tonga and had been interned in New Zealand during the war. In 1989, Kumazo’s descendants from Japan and Tonga were reunited following a search conducted by Takefumi Nishi, one of Kumazo’s sons from his first family in Japan. Together they laid Kumazo’s ashes to rest with Manusiu in Ma’ufanga, Tonga.
To this day, the Nishi relatives remain in contact between Japan and Tonga, and the stories and histories are being passed down to the younger generations.
–Aniselina Nishi and Sophie Constable
More info:
Aniselina Nishi
Artist/s Statement:
This piece was created from the ideas of Kumazo’s great-granddaughter Aniselina Nishi:
‘I wanted to capture the essence of my great-grandfather and his legacy, which is the Nishi family. Although he died decades before I was born, I see his features in my grandfather, and I always wondered about the kind of person he was. He was taken away when my grandfather was only 3 years old, and he never saw him again. Been given the opportunity to be a part of this project is a huge gift, as it has unveiled information about Kumazo’s life that my family didn’t know, and I also have the privilege of honouring my ancestor and family in a way that comes naturally to me.
‘I want to thank Ebonie Fifita for reaching out to me about this project, and for all her support and encouragement in making this piece come to life. I also want to thank Sophie and Mayu for making this project what it is, and for the encouraging words and all the work and research you’ve put into this. And most importantly, I give thanks to God, for without Him, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.’
Artist Bio:
Aniselina Nishi is 24 years old, born in Aotearoa / New Zealand and grew up on the islands of Tonga. She has always been a naturally artistic person, drawing since she was a little girl. She now resides in New Zealand and still enjoys creating artistic works whenever inspiration strikes.
Well done to our beautiful daughter Aniselina and the team who kindly invited her to take part in this wonderful work of sharing a part of the history of our grandfather. Your dedication and commitment is sincerely appreciated by our whole family.
Dear Minoru Nishi Jr san,
Thank you for your comment. We are so grateful that Aniselina took part to remember Kumazo san with her beautiful work. What a wonderful connection we found!
Dear Aniselina,
Hi my name is Manatu & I’ve come across you sharing the history of the Nishi family, as I’ve been trying to connect and learn about my Grandmothers Japanese side. As I was reading it was literally the same story I was told about my Grandmothers father who got taken away during the war as she was young as well. I came down and seeing the comments made by your father as I seen the name, Minoru Nishi Jr. I have never met him but I’ve heard about him and my grandmother talking about Minoru Lahi her half brother, I’m just confused as my Grandmother has a few siblings still alive. My Grandmother Sakae is 93 her brother Tongo is 95 and her brother Kyoshi who passed away early 2000’s. I would like to hear from you again as I’ve always wanted to know my Japanese side.
Hi Manatu,
This is very interesting – I’ve heard about my grandfather Minoru Lahi having half siblings through his father. I will ask my father as he may know some more information. I’ll be in touch!