Artist Elysha Rei has created a custom-made shirt that symbolizes her heritage as the granddaughter of a Japanese war bride, Akiko Kirkham, who emigrated to Australia in 1953. The shirt is delicately crafted from traditional Japanese paper and features hand-cut designs and pearl shell buttons, a nod to Queensland's pearl diving industry.

Elysha noted that the creative process was a collaborative effort with her mother, enhancing their connection to their ancestry and cultural heritage.

Akiko Kirkham's journey to Australia was marked by personal sacrifice, as she left her family in Japan to marry an Australian serviceman, against their wishes.

Elysha describes her grandmother as a spirited woman whose decision was quite rebellious for the time.

Following World War Two, anti-Japanese sentiment in Australia was prevalent, given the nations had fought on opposing sides.

Upon arriving in Australia, Akiko endeavored to integrate into Australian society, adopting the local culture and focusing on English at home, which impacted her descendants' ties to the Japanese language.

Elysha's mother, Jan Kirkham, faced significant challenges growing up under the White Australia Policy, a legislative framework established in 1901 that prioritized migrants from Britain and enforced racial discrimination.

Jan recalls the bullying she experienced as a child, stemming from her mother’s Japanese heritage, during a time of heightened animosity following the war.

Many families were still grappling with losses from the conflict, making the integration of Japanese war brides particularly difficult.

Jan’s experience reflects the broader context of Japanese women who faced the daunting task of adapting to a foreign culture while navigating the traumas of war.

Research conducted by Keiko Tamura, an honorary senior lecturer at Australian National University, emphasizes the resilience of these women, painting them as strong, adaptable individuals who sought acceptance within their communities amidst the backdrop of discrimination.

Over 650 Japanese women migrated to Australia as wives of Australian servicemen post-war, forming significant yet often overlooked contributions to Australia's multicultural fabric.

Elysha’s upcoming exhibition titled "Shirozato to Shinju (White Sugar and Pearls)" aims to showcase this history and will be held at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts in Townsville from June 13 to July 27, 2025. Townsville holds historical significance as the location of Australia's first official Japanese consulate from 1896 to 1908 and is part of a broader narrative of Japanese migration in North Queensland, where many worked in the sugar cane and pearl industries.

Through her artwork, Elysha aims to highlight both the personal struggles of her grandmother and the broader shifts in Australian society regarding migration and multiculturalism.

The legacy of war brides like Akiko is reflected in the evolving narratives of identity, cultural acceptance, and the complex interactions between different communities within Australia.