Inasa-no-hama Beach and Benten-jima shrine

Datec 1950

Object number00054468

NamePostcards

Mediumink on paper

DimensionsOverall: 90 × 140 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from June Hammond

Terms

DescriptionA blank postcard depicting a black and white image of Inasa-no-hama Beach at Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The small shrine visble on the rock is called Benten-jima and is believed to house a female sea deity, keeping watch over seafarers and protecting them from being tossed on the waves of the Sea of Japan. Inasa-no-hama Beach itself is a sacred stretch of land presumed to annually welcome a myriad gods. HistoryMore than 600 Japanese women migrated to Australia as war brides after World War II. Their husbands had served with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) after the surrender of Japan in 1945. At first marriage between Australian soldiers and Japanese women was prohibited. But many men fell in love and lobbied the Australian Government for change. When Sadako Kikuchi’s family discovered that she was secretly seeing Australian Army officer John Morris, they threatened to disown her. Strong-willed, Sadako chose to leave, moving into an apartment with John. Sadako met John when she was a seamstress in a Kure department store. There was still much bitterness between ex-enemies. ‘Morrisan’ and Sadako had to keep their meetings secret, using Sadako’s brother Yasuo as a go-between. In 1952, after intense lobbying, the Australian Government eventually gave permission for soldiers to marry Japanese nationals. Sadako and John had a church wedding in 1952. Most of Sadako’s family attended, despite their earlier opposition. Finally, in December 1953, Sadako and her two baby daughters boarded Changte bound for Adelaide. They were among the first group of non-Europeans officially permitted under the White Australia policy. While many immigrants experienced displacement, culture shock and homesickness, Japanese brides also had to endure bigotry in both Japan and Australia.SignificanceThe postcards were treasured by Sadako Morris as mementos of her and John Morris's courtship in Japan. Sadako defied her family to marry an Australian soldier and migrate to Australia after World War II.