Cirrus@Austlit

'Japanese people first settled in Australia in the late nineteenth century, yet the history of Japanese Australians remains mostly unknown. In fact, many contemporary people of Japanese heritage often feel alienated from their own ethnic history, even actively rejecting any connection to the Japanese diaspora. This article examines the reasons behind this phenomenon and how the group Nikkei Australia grew out of a need to explore these issues of ambivalent identity. Nikkei Australia is group of researchers and individuals with an interest in rediscovering and retelling Japanese Australian diasporic stories. Drawing on personal narratives and reflections, this article charts the inception of Nikkei Australia and the group's academic, artistic and cultural activities to date, as well as the issues and ideas that inform and frame the group's tasks ahead.'

Source: Abstract.

'This is a forgotten story of the Japanese in Australia.

'“We take so many photographs. How do we know which ones are important? Which ones matter?”

'Inspired by the true story of Yasukichi Murakami, a Japanese-Australian photographer, entrepreneur and inventor who was a remarkable character in northern Australia in the early 1900s, this multi-disciplinary work is a contemporary framing of Murakami’s life through the lens of modern day Japanese-Australian theatre maker Mayu Kanamori.

'Along the way she uncovers a fascinating story of unlikely friendships, thwarted ambition and love. The play stirs our collective amnesia about the history of the Japanese in Australia.

'Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens is a meditation on love, immortality, and in a digital age where cameras proliferate, the nature of photography. Combining live action with photographic projections, video, original music and soundscape, it is an immersive and poetic production, which adds significantly to the slim volume of Japanese Australian work for the stage.' ( Production summary)

The Heart of the Journey is a multimedia sound and slide show of over three hundred fifty still photographs with digitally recorded and mixed interviews and music as well as a live performance component. The show moves in a linear fashion telling the true story of Lucy Dann's personal journey. Source: The Heart of the Journey website (Sighted 9 June 2009)