An exhibition of rare archival photographs taken by Japanese researchers around 50 years ago will travel from The National Museum of Ethnology in Japan to Canberra. The exhibition will be accompanied by a number of events held at ANU. The exhibition is open to the public from 13 June 2025.
When: Friday 13 Jun 2025-Sun 22 Jun 2025; 11am-4:00 pm
Location: The Gallery, Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre (Kambri, ANU)
Contact: Julie Lahn Send email
Nikkei Australia member Julie Lahn is part of the research team – The ANU Japan Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) Project, which curated this exhibition. GOTAT | GUTHATH | 時代の潮目 | TIDES will showcase never-before-exhibited photographs in a celebration of bilateral relationships and friendships spanning borders, cultures and time.
ANU Japan Zenadth Kes Project (JZK) reconnects contemporary Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) communities with archival scholarship created by the Torres Strait Kenkyukai, a group of Japanese researchers who documented community life in the Torres Strait in the 1970s and produced a 700-page book and thousands of photographs, maps, and also recorded music.
‘On display for the first time in Australia this exhibition of archival photographs captures a momentous era in Zenadth Kes (then Torres Strait) history—the 1970s—a period marked by profound political, social, and economic change, and of remarkable strength, resilience, and creativity by communities.
Photographs are from the George Ohshima Collection at the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku), Japan. Professor Ohshima was a pioneering figure in Japanese Pacific Studies with connections to scholars world-wide including Australia and the ANU. His collection comprises over 10,000 images taken across Asia and the Pacific – of these, more than 2,000 were taken in Zenadth Kes offering a rare and vivid window into everyday life 50 years ago.
Professor George Ohshima and nine other Japanese researchers—the Torres Strait Kenkyūkai (study group)—visited every community in the region of Zenadth Kes. This exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary since the Kenkyūkai began its field research in 1975. The exhibition also features photographs from the personal archives of other notable researchers in the Kenkyūkai: Dr Hironobu Kitaoji, Professor Hiroyuki Matsumoto and Dr Michiya Hata.’
Exhibition, open daily, 13-22 June 2025, 11am – 4pm
International Panel Discussion, 13 June 2025, 12 pm-1pm
Speakers include Dr Annick Thomassin, Mr Ned David, Professor Norio Niwa, Dr Hiroko Cockerill, Dr Sara Kitaoji, Michael Passi. Panel Chair: Dr Julie Lahn.
Zenadth Kes style Weaving Workshops, 13, 14, 15 June 2025.
With master weaver Mr Niki Mackie. Registrations via Humanitix.
Digital Story (StoryMaps) https://arcg.is/0Cn8Xe
ANU JZK Project team members are Kinau Akiba, Abba Babia, Jacinta Baragud, Emily Beckley, Samantha Faulkner, Neville Johnston, Will Kepa, Julie Lahn, Yessie Mosby, Michael Passi, Annick Thomassin.
The JZK Project is supported by an Australia Japan Foundation grant, ‘Rekindling Japanese-Torres Strait Connections: Celebrating fifty years’; the Return of Cultural Heritage Unit at The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), and an Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant: ‘Valuing Torres Strait Knowledge through Sustainable Digital Returns’.
Image: Brian Robinson, Waru Kazi III, 2015
Hello, I am from a Pearling family (1898-1971) from T.I.
My GGU RAC Hockings and James Clark were business partners in the early days of the pearling industry.
I visited the T.I. pearling museum in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan in November 2023. My Great Grand Uncle built the Shinomasaki Elementary School there in 1910 and erected a marble monument to the first six Japanese men killed/drowned on T.I.
I am currently rebuilding a Torres Strait pearling lugger at and for the Queensland Maritime Museum. (Penguin A61)
I have numerous photos, information and 8mm movie of T.I. life prior to 1971, if you are interested.
How can I get a copy of the book published by these researchers, in English preferably?
Please contact me.
Regards
John Hockings
0413746343
Hi John, thanks for your comment. I have sent you an email in answer to your questions.
Hi, my name is Dr Sanchia Shibasaki. My grandfather, Kyushichi Shibasaki, was born in Miwasaki on 1 February 1901. He came to Thursday Island, where he worked as a pearl diver on the luggers. His descendants, along with many other Japanese and Okinawan families, continue to reside on Thursday Island and across the Torres Strait. Today there is a strong and growing community of Japanese and Torres Strait Islander families.
I wish to express my concerns about the Zendath Kes research project and provide context about its development:
1. The researchers did not consult with Japanese and Torres Strait Islander families during the development of the grant.
2. The research team does not include any representatives from our Japanese and Torres Strait Islander community.
3. The exhibition panel likewise did not include any members of our Japanese or Torres Strait Islander community.
As direct descendants and current community members, our voices and perspectives are essential in shaping and representing this history.
Dear Sanchia,
I just saw your entry. Please let me introduce myself.
I am a researcher on the wartime treatment of the Japanese in this country (TI included). Mr Bill Shibasaki (your father? uncle? ) has been a great information provider when I was writing up my research. I haven’t been in touch with him for sometime and hope he is still well. I am currently engaged in a project but would love to get in touch with you.