DID you know that during the 1920s a significant Japanese community existed in Middlesbrough?
A number of boarding houses sprang up in the Marton Road area to provide accommodation for Japanese sailors visiting the town.
Many of them married local women, settled in the area and raised families.
As part of a major exhibition opening at the Dorman Museum next summer, researchers are hoping to track down the descendants of these original settlers.
Tokyo to the Tees will explore Middlesbrough’s strong, but largely forgotten links with Japan and include important loans from leading institutions including the British Museum.
Museum curators would love to hear from anyone with information about this fascinating part of the town’s history, especially the descendants of Doi Tomoji, Akiyama Taichi, Betsho Ryoichi and Akiyama Taichi.
- If you have information or can help, call Sue Sedgwick on 01642 358108 or email susan_sedgwick@middlesbrough.gov.uk