Japanese students retrace past
Two young Taiji students had the opportunity to retrace their ancestry during a recent trip to Broome as part of this year’s St Mary’s College cultural exchange program.
Mahiro Shiozaki and Katsuhiro Takebayashi, 14, arrived in town with four fellow students from Taiji Junior High School and four adults last month to spend four days in Broome, Taiji’s sister city.
Katsuhiro is the great-grandson of Mr Takebayashi, a Japanese pearl diver in Broome.
The student was accompanied by his father, Tomoya Takebayashi, a Taiji town official and the grandson of Mr Takebayashi.
Mahiro Shiozaki also paid tribute to her great-grandfather, Takehachi Nishiji, who was also a Japanese pearl diver. Mahiro had the honour of visiting her relative’s grave at the Japanese cemetery.
He passed away in 1963 at the age of 51.
Japanese curator Hayato Sakurai translated for the young student, who said she was delighted to be in Broome especially to pay respects to her great-grandfather.
Tomoya and Katsuhiro Takebayashi said the visit to Broome was a chance to learn about their grandfather and great-grandfather respectively.
Mr Sakurai said it was common for some of the visiting Taiji students to discover they had relatives who worked and died in Broome, giving them the “motivation” to travel to the town to learn about their ancestors and the history.
The Shire of Broome held a civic reception, attended by community members including representatives from the Japanese community, to welcome the visitors.
During the evening, SMC and Taiji students performed on stage.
The students stayed with their host families and enjoyed a jam-packed four days of activities.
SMC students and families welcomed their guests in true Aussie style with a barbecue at the college.
The Taiji students spent time in the classroom and out on different excursions include a ride on Broome Hovercraft, camel rides, a cultural tour by Mamabulanjin,
Broome markets and the Malcolm Douglas Wilderness Park.
