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:
Sara-Jane Seery
Artist/s Statement:
This picture depicts a merging of landscapes from the internee’s home prefecture, Kumamoto. I endeavoured to romantically encapsulate an imagined ‘coming home’. A dreamy landscape of the famous Aso Caldera at dusk, a peaceful time to rest a soul for an expanse of time. I also embedded the internee number to scar the artwork, as a reminder of painful experiences and beauty in the healing.
Artist Bio:
Sara-Jane Seery holds Bachelor degrees in Languages and International Business from The University of New England, Australia. She has worked in Japan as a co-ordinator of international relations for the JET Programme. She has continued studying Japanese translation and interpretation at The University of Queensland and contributed to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in various official roles, including with Paralympics Australia. She is passionate about promoting Australia-Japan bilateral dimensions including accessibility, Indigenous studies (Ainu), sports diplomacy, war history, and the arts.