SATO Hidekichi
Born: 20 October 1877 – Died: 1 February 1942
Particulars:
Hidekichi was born in Japan. He arrived in Port Darwin, Australia aboard the SS Chan in 1899, when he was 22 years old. He spent one year in Garramila / Darwin, three years on Waibene / Thursday Island, and the remainder of his time in North Queensland. He never revisited Japan.
Hidekichi was a widower working as a labourer at the Hambledon Mill via Edmonton, Queensland when the Pacific War broke out. He was arrested and transported to the internment camp in Gaythorne in Queensland. The camp had capacity for 1,800 and was mainly used for interrogation. Within days of arriving at Gaythorne, he was sent to hospital with a chest illness. He was slightly built, 4 feet 11.5 inches tall and weighing 4 stone 12 pounds, with grey hair and a dark tan skin. Less than six weeks later, Hidekichi died, aged 64 years. His possessions were listed as: one suitcase, one small case, one bundle, one pound and 3 pence. A Buddhist, he was initially buried in the Toowong Cemetery, Meanjin / Brisbane. His grave is now at the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Margaret Rackemann
More info:
Margaret Rackemann
Artist/s Statement:
This work comprises antique and vintage fabrics from Japan and historical photographic images of Australia. The patchwork of fabrics and images symbolises stages of life stitched together. Each fragile piece of fabric is reminiscent of the Japan that 22-year-old Sato Hidekichi left in 1899. The historical images provide glimpses of his years in Australia – one year in Darwin (image 1), three years on Thursday Island (image 2), and 38 years working at the Hambledon Mill in Edmonton (image 3), then the Royal Brisbane Hospital (image 4). His burial at Toowong is symbolised by one of the cemetery’s great bunya pines that provide shelter for those who rest there (image 5). A map of Australia showing the locations of all internment camps in English and Japanese is stitched with blue sashiko thread, symbolising his journey across three states of this vast continent (image 6). His final resting place, the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, is the last image (image 7).
Artist Bio:
Margaret Rackemann has been involved with Japan for more than 35 years. She has lived and worked in Japan and has curated Australia-Japan related projects, programs, and exhibitions in both countries. She describes herself as a maker rather than an artist, and has worked with traditional Japanese Shibori, Sashiko, and Boro techniques for 10 years. Margaret is the immediate past president of the Australia Japan Society-Queensland and is a committee member of the National Federation of Australia Japan Societies.