Kazuyuki Kiyohei Tsukigawa

Tsukigawa was born on the Japanese island of Konoura-mura Uku in the Nagasaki Prefecture to father Kazuye Tsukigawa and mother Fuzi Kanki.^[1] Around 1889, at age 15/16, he started to train and work as a seaman with his uncle on ships sailing the coasts of Japan and China.^[2] In 1893, Tsukigawa became ship pilot and left Japan stowed on a ship bound for Shanghai.^[1] Tsukigawa learnt English and started work as a sailor on both American and English ships, living in England for a short period.^[1]

In June 1897, Tsukigawa journeyed from New York to New Zealand, aboard the iron barque ship, Clan Macleod.^[1][3][4] He disbarked in Dunedin, New Zealand, after a disagreement with the ship's captain, urging Tsukigawa to abruptly leave behind some of his belongings and wages.^[5] It is reported that he hid in the Kaikorai bush until the ship departed.^[6]

At 21 years of age, he started work in the township Clydevale, on the banks of the Clutha River/ Mata-Au.^[1] Tsukigawa worked for the New Zealand and Australian Land Company who owned the estate at Clydevale Station, as a ship-hand and agricultural engineer alongside station manager James Mitchell.^[7][6] He visited Japan in 1902 for several months and on his return to New Zealand, Mitchell welcomed him back to work.^[1]

On 18 January 1907, Tsukigawa was naturalised and became a New Zealand citizen, he was among the first Japanese people to do so.^[1][8][5] In 1936, Tsukigawa visited Japan, taking with him New Zealand produce and made presentations to the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs and other organisations about New Zealand. In 1939 Tsukigawa was honoured by the Japanese Government in recognition of his work and contributions in cementing friendship between Japan and New Zealand. A gift of a naval sword was presented to him from Prince Chichibu, brother of the Emperor Hirohito. Tsukigawa welcomed the Japanese motor-ship, the Naniwa Maru at Lyttelton Harbour.^[9]

Tsukigawa was also known in New Zealand as K.K., shortening his Japanese name Kazuyuki Kiyohei.^[10]

At the start of World War II, Tsukigawa spent months under house arrest, as his Japanese descent deemed him an 'enemy alien'. Despite this, his local Balclutha community never questioned him. His son Sydney Nogi Tsukigawa served New Zealand in WWII in Italy.^[11]

Around 1905-1906, Tsukigawa joined The Salvation Army after meeting Captain James Walker in 1898 and later converted.^[1] He was also part of the Balclutha Corps, becoming corps sergeant major from 1910 to the time of his death.remained active in his involvement with the Salvation Army throughout his life, travelling to meet Japanese members and sharing his experiences and praises for New Zealand.^[1][6]

On 27 October 1913, Tsukigawa married Adelaide May Clarke, an officer of the Salvation Army, Balclutha Corps.^[12][13] The Te Puke Times reported:^[14]

Seldom has a wedding in Balclutha drawn so many onlookers as that of Lieutenant Adelaide Clarke and Sergeant- Major K. Tsukigawa, which was celebrated in the Oddfellows' Hall. The bride-groom is master of the Clutha River Board steamer Clutha. A Japanese by birth he began as a deck hand, and rose to the position of master by sheer ability, and holds the necessary certificates to enable him to take charge of a sea-going boat. The bride was formerly stationed at Balclutha, but for some time has been at Invercargill. She and the bridegroom are highly esteemed. Interest was lent to the ceremony by the presence of the Dunedin City Salvation Army band.

The couple had three sons.