Summary

Digital photograph of Setsutaro Hasegawa with his son Leo, and grandchildren Leonard and Matsu in his backyard at Little Ryrie Street backyard, Geelong, Australia, circa 1933.

Setsutaro migrated to Australia from Japan in 1897 at the age of 26, just four years before the introduction of the Immigration Restriction Act which severely limited migration to Australia from countries in Asia. He established a laundry business in Geelong and by 1911 he had married an Australian-born woman and had three children.

In 1941 Setsutaro was arrested as an enemy alien and sent to Tatura internment camp in northern Victoria. Released early in 1943 due to his age and poor health, unlike most Japanese interns he was not deported to Japan after the War. Setsutaro remained in Geelong for the rest of his life and died in 1952.

Description of Content

Setsutaro Hasegawa with one of his sons, identified as Leo, and two of his grandchildren, identified as Leonard [the little boy] and Matsu [the baby], in his backyard at Little Ryrie Street, Geelong, Australia. The photograph was probably taken circa 1935.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph

Significance

The Hasegawa collection enables the exploration of a number of important historical themes relating to migration, working life, and wartime internment in Victoria. Late nineteenth century and early to mid twentieth century Japanese migration and settlement experiences are little represented in the museum's collections and this collection of clothing, documents, personal items and photographs helps to redress.

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