SILENT PEARLS

‘Silent Pearls’ is a detailed examination of the little-known pre-war presence of Japanese in the Northern Territory. Presented in a 242 page paperback with more than 150 pictures and maps, many in colour, this thoroughly original research shines new light on the early history of Darwin (Palmerston).

Up until a few years ago most people thought there were only a few Chinese and no Japanese buried in the old cemeteries of Darwin, however, this study identifies the deaths of more than 100 Japanese in the Northern Territory between 1891 and 1941.

It details every one of the 45 Japanese listed on the 31 remaining headstones; explains the cause and circumstances of their deaths, and uses them as a scaffold on which to build the history of pearling in the Territory.

In so doing it brings to light the massive contribution of more than a thousand Japanese to the early development of the Territory. Their industrious efforts contributing more than a £million in pearl-shell exports alone.

The book also looks at inter-racial relationships and seeks to be an early step in needed acknowledgement and reconciliation.