SAKASHITA Kingoro
Born: 10 June 1877 – Died: 10 February 1943
Particulars:
Kingoro was born in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. He arrived in Lucinda Point, Queensland, Australia in 1898 aboard the Omi Maru. He worked as a tramline motor driver, farmer, and labourer, living for 18 years in the Macknade region of Queensland, and 25 years in Ingham at Victoria Mill. In 1917, he successfully applied to have his 18-year-old cousin join him to learn English at the Ripple Creek State School for a three year period. At the time, he was employed by CSR (Colonial Sugar Refining) and was preparing to buy his own farm. When the Pacific War broke out, he was working as a labourer at Victoria Mill. When he was arrested, he handed over: 4 pounds 13 shillings and 1 pence to the authorities at Townsville, 16 shillings to the authorities at Meanjin / Brisbane, 20 pounds to the authorities at Hay Internment Camp in New South Wales. His other properties included three portmanteaus or travel bags and one sugar bag, five suitcases and three boxes, and personal clothing left at the mill where he worked. He was interned at Hay Internment Camp in New South Wales and died of coronary thrombosis. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Kevin Simmonds
Artist/s Statement:
How can I honour those whose vigilance and insistence were quiet, uncelebrated? Sakashita Kingoro led a dignified life despite the uncountable, wicked injustices he faced. I want to express why that is remarkable and a lesson.
Artist Bio:
Kevin Simmonds is a writer and musician originally from New Orleans, USA. His most recent book is ‘The Monster I am Today: Leontyne Price and a Life in Verse’ (2021). He spends his time between San Francisco, Palm Springs in the USA and Tokyo, Japan.