SHIOZAKI Zensuke
Born: 10 October 1871 – Died: 2 February 1943
Particulars:
Zensuke was born in Mie Prefecture, Japan. A widower, he had a son Eiichi, and a daughter. He later moved to Dobo, Wamar Island, Indonesia, formerly Aru Islands, Dutch East Indies, working as a carpenter. Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Zensuke was labelled an ‘enemy alien’, detained, and placed aboard the SS Cremer. He arrived at Outer Harbour in South Australia. Records describe him as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 104 pounds, with a sallow complexion, grey hair, and brown eyes. Zensuke died at 71 at Barmera Base Hospital. An inquest found his cause of death as basal lobar pneumonia, with cachexia or wasting and exhaustion contributing. He now rests at the Japanese Cemetery, Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Susan Dowell
More info:
Susan Dowell
Artist/s Statement:
After arriving in Australia, Zensuke was transported via covered trucks, to Loveday Internment Camp Compound 14. He likely had no idea where he was or what lay ahead. Compound 14 held most Japanese internees, including some who were Australian born. Despite interpreter shortages, English speaking internees likely helped Zensuke navigate his new world.
Camp life offered options, such as woodcarving, farming opium or pyrethrum daisies, tending pigs or chickens. We don’t know Zensuke’s role, but I like to imagine him caring for the serene Japanese gardens around the huts. A follower of Shintoism, Zensuke would’ve found comfort in the two Shinto shrines erected at the camp. Mie, his birthplace, is home to the sacred Ise Shrine, dedicated to sun goddess Amaterasu.
Researching this was emotional. With few documents, I pieced together a likely story. Imagining his fear, isolation, and pain in a foreign land was moving. Both people I honoured for this project were at Loveday, which I knew little about. Their work supported other camps and even morphine production. I have been to the former campsite at Tatura, which felt bleak. Cowra felt peaceful. I hope to visit Loveday one day.
Artist Bio:
Susan Dowell has lived in Melbourne, Australia most of her life, but now lives in a small village in northern New South Wales. She holds a Bachelor of Sociology and Indonesian from Victoria University and an Associate Diploma in Business Accounting from RMIT. Her career has been varied – the last 19 years were in manufacturing, and 10 as administration manager.