OKUBO Hidenosuke
Born: 17 April 1876 – Died: 7 June 1944
Particulars:
Hidenosuke was born in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, to Okubo Yosuke and Mitsu, who were farmers. He migrated to Western Australia arriving in Rubibi / Broome aboard the SS Saladin and worked in the pearling industry for seven years before briefly returning to Japan to marry Maeji Etsu. His son Kiyoshi was born after his return to Australia in 1910, but he never met him. Hidenosuke later worked across the midwest and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia, eventually settling as a market gardener in Waggrakine near Geraldton. He leased land and built a weatherboard house and created his market garden. With the onset of the Pacific War, he was arrested and his possessions, including furniture, truck, gardening equipment, and a horse were entrusted to Arthur Halls. He was interned at Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia. He was diagnosed with a critical health condition and died of gastric cancer on 7 June 1944 at age 68. Hidenosuke is buried in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Jo Anne Shiosaki
More info:
Ben Shiosaki with Jordan Shiosaki
Artist/s Statement:
My nephew Jordan Shiosaki chose to adopt Hidenosuke Okubo. Jordan said:
‘Hidenosuke Okubo was from the same prefecture as my great-great-grandfather’s family. I grew up in the suburb of Moresby, close to Waggrakine, so it is no surprise to me that Hidenosuke chose to build a home and live in this region. It looked like he was starting to carve out a successful life for himself in Waggrakine until the war brought significant changes to the lives of many. I could not imagine leaving the midwest region, let alone being forcibly taken from it.’
Artist Bio:
Ben Shiosaki is a fourth-generation Nikkei who resides in Geraldton, Western Australia. With a passion for history and photography, he believes these stories and legacies in the When You Call My Name Project should not be forgotten. Jordan Shiosaki is Ben’s nephew.