ANU Japan Zenadth Kes Project

13/09/2026

Our exhibition is open in Osaka!

The Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes) and Japan: History and Connection As Seen Through the Ohshima George Photograph Collection is now showing at the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku). This is the first major Torres Strait exhibition ever held at this institution, and the third to come out of our JZK Project collaboration, following Canberra (June 2025) and Waiben earlier this year.

Co-curated with Professor Norio Niwa, his team and the ANU JZK Project team, the exhibition brings together 1970s archival photographs from Professor George Ohshima and the Torres Strait Kenkyūkai research team alongside contemporary work, including a newly built thugul makarr by Yessie Mosby, who also appears as a boy in one of the archival photos on display.

If you're in Osaka, you can visit the exhibition at Minpaku. The Museum is open daily (except Wed) until 15 December 2026
https://www.minpaku.ac.jp/en/ai1ec_event/69813

It was an honour to attend the opening. We were touched by the heartfelt words from Minpaku Director General, Yuji SEKI, Bec Allen (Counsellor, Australian Embassy in Tokyo), and GBK Chair, Ned David.

Au esoau, koeyma esso, ありがとうございました to Niwa sensei, Minpaku, Gur A Baradharaw Kod, the Australia-Japan Foundation, the Australian Embassy in Japan, Torres Strait Regional Authority, and everyone who has shared their family's stories and photographs to make this possible.

You can visit the project’s stories here: https://arcg.is/0Cn8Xe

09/09/2026

Behind the scenes installation at the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka. Exhibition opens tomorrow featuring ‘thugul makarr’ by JZK Project’s Yessie Mosby.

09/09/2026

Very excited to see the ANU Japan Zenadth Kes Project collaboration with National Museum of Ethnology come to fruition in exhibition opening tomorrow in Osaka!

『 #月刊みんぱく』2026年8月号特集「木曜島の小さな日本」は、かつて木曜島でおこなわれていた真珠貝採取について特集しました。

企画展「トレス海峡（ゼナドスケス）と日本――大島襄二写真コレクションから見た交流と歴史」は2026年9月10日（木）から12月15日（火）まで開催です。
#国立民族学博物館 #みんぱく

13/08/2026

It’s exciting to see a scene from 1970s Zenadth Kes photographed by Professor Ohshima on the cover of the National Museum of Ethnology’s magazine to promote next month’s exhibition in Osaka: The Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes) and Japan: History and Connection as seen through the Ohshima George Photograph Collection.

The exhibition will open on Thursday 10 September 2026 to Tuesday 15 December 2026. Further information can be found in the link below.

https://www.minpaku.ac.jp/en/ai1ec_event/69813

過去21年分の『 #月刊みんぱく』が読める【月刊みんぱくアーカイブズ】公開中！
https://www.r.minpaku.ac.jp/gekkan_min #みんぱく

最新号2026年8月号特集「木曜島の小さな日本」と読みたいバックナンバーはこちら
2023年12月号特集「よみがえるゼナドス・ケス�https://www.r.minpaku.ac.jp/gekkan_minpaku/pdf/MP2312.pdf
2014年8月号特集「多みんぞくニホン�https://www.r.minpaku.ac.jp/gekkan_minpaku/pdf/MP1408.pdf

ぜひ最新号とあわせて読んでみてください！
#国立民族学博物館 #みんぱく

28/06/2026

It was privilege to spend last week at Badu to share 1970s photographs of Japanese researchers Hiroyuki Matsumoto and George Ohshima.

Julie’s travel to Badu on behalf of JZK Project was supported by Badu Cr Wosomo and Mura Badulgal RNTBC.

Special mention to auntie Geiza Stowe and Laza pamle - koeyma eso for lugaut me and great help organising the Slide Show night at Community Hall.

Koeyma eao Badu pamles for your interest, hospitality, and for sharing yarns from 50 years ago.

Looking forward to next visit. Contact JZK Project at: [email protected]

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7c9daa7c4bba439a922f9e0a6b2afcaf

23/06/2026

JZK project is at Badu all week.

21/05/2026

JZK Project exhibition is travelling! GOTAT | GUTHATH | 時代の潮目 | TIDES opened at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre at Waibene Lag in Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) on Friday 15 May.

The exhibition opening was MCed by Torres Strait Regional Authority Culture, Art and Heritage Portfolio and Member for Mer, Mr Bob Kaigey, a Blessing given by Father Tom Stephen, Church of Torres Strait. We were Welcomed to Country by Kaurareg Elder Enid Tom. TSRA Chair Mr George Nona opened the event and speeches were given by ANU JZK Team representative Jacinta Baragud and ANU Yil L*l Studio’s Will Kepa and Dr Sara Kitaoji. Heartfelt impromptu speeches were offered by JZK’s Michael Passi and Yessie Mosby. Music was provided by Will Kepa, and singers from Mer and Mabuyag. We were watched over by a beautiful owl in the neighbouring mango tree.

A special event feature was the handing back to Meriam, Masig, Iama and Mabuyag representatives USBs of new recordings of old songs made 50 years ago by Japanese researchers Hironobu Kitaoji and Michiya Hata.

The crowd moved inside the cultural centre to enjoy the space - both galleries were full of photos from the National Museum of Ethnology’s George Ohshima Collection and private collections of late Hironobu Kitaoji, Hiroyuki Matsumoto and Shinpei Segawa made fifty years ago. A Thugul Makarr (model outrigger canoe) made by Yessie Mosby floated in the gallery inviting thoughts of waves, waters and ongoing traditions.

Koeyma eso, au esoau to ogleda Zenadth Kes communities, Gab Titui’s Leitha Assan and team, GBK Chair Ned David and Board member Mr Keri Akiba, TSIRC Mayor Philemon Mosby (in absentia) and Torres Shire Council Mayor Elsie Seriat, Rhonda Shibasaki, National Museum of Ethnology’s Professor Norio Niwa, AIATSIS and Dr Sara Kitaoji.

And well done ANU JZK team as always for dedication to doing an excellent job for community!

Following the exhibition an all star Zenadth Kes panel of JZK Team and GBK member discussed the process, the relationships and the insights behind the exhibition and project.

14/05/2026

Gotat | Guthath | Tides Exhibition ‘When The Wind Blows Workshop’.

All are welcome to come and participate in a warm and welcoming environment.

📅 Saturday, 16 May
⏰ 9pm - 1pm
📍Gab Titui Cultural Centre

To register, please call the Gab Titui Cultural Centre Gift Shop on (07) 4069 0888 or email [email protected] to nominate name/s.

14/05/2026

Boat ferry service for our exhibition opening tomorrow night at Gab Titui Cultural Centre

Hope to see you all there.

Come have a yarn with our team.

Gotat | Guthath | Tides Exhibition Ferry Services ⛴️

📅 Friday, 15 May
⏰ 5:30pm
📍Hammond Island Wharf ➡️ Horn Island Wharf ➡️ Engineers Wharf

Return Ferry Departs From Engineers Wharf
⏰ 9pm to Horn Island & Hammond Island

‼️Limited seats at the Exhibition. Registrations required.

☎️ 07 4069 0888 | 📩 [email protected]
📍 Corner Victoria Parade and Blackall Street, Thursday Island QLD 4875

08/05/2026

Exhibition Announcement

We are excited to share our upcoming Japan Zenadth Kes Project joint exhibition with Gab Titui Cultural Centre and the National Museum of Ethnology.

The JZK Project wish to sincerely thank Torres Strait Regional Authority for their support in making this exhibition possible.

The tides are rising at Gab Titui Cultural Centre.
🌊 Coming soon…..

We’re proud to announce the opening night of the GOTAT | GUTHATH | TIDES EXHIBITION.

Opening Night
📅 Friday, 15 May 2026
📍Gab Titui Cultural Centre

Limited seats. Registrations required:
☎️ 07 4069 0888 | 📩 [email protected]
📍 Corner Victoria Parade and Blackall Street, Thursday Island QLD 4875
🌐 shop.gabtitui.gov.au