Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Ryde Cemetery

Mr Tetsonusoke Suzuki

Title: Mr
Forenames: Tetsonusoke
Surnames: Suzuki
Date of Death: 26/06/1897
Grave Type: Marked
Map Reference Number: RSHG 045 D3
Plot Number: Ryde New Cemetery Section F Plot 1724
Grave Description: Large plain headstone, upright, gothic shape with shoulders.

Grave Condition: Fair
Grave Condition Description: Some weathering to inscription. Stone surface is rough.
Other Information: The translation of the Japanese writing was done by William and Yoko Robb (in Japan), who noted that it was quite difficult as there wasn't much modernly used kanji (Japanese characters) and it was also specialist military which people don't know unless they are employed by the military. Previously, Mr Suzuki was noted to be a "blacksmith", e.g. in the County Press record of his funeral, however, the translation indicates he was a "Specialist Swordsmith". He died during a Naval Review held in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - see full article of the funeral below.

The photograph of the grave taken on the day of the funeral by Mr Gallop, was kindly contributed by Rob Gallop. Rob has many photographs of Ryde taken by his Great Grandfather, Mr Gallop, on his Flickr account. Paste this link into your browser to see these photographs. http://www.flickr.com/photos/robgallop/
Old Website Grave ID: 1232

Inscription:

IN
MEMORY OF
T. SUZUKI
IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY
WHO DIED 26 JUNE 1897

There is a central line of vertical Japanese writing to the base of the stone, which translates as:
---NAVAL 2ND DIVISION,
SPECIALIST SWORDSMITH, 8TH GRADE,
SUZUKI TETSONUSOKE---

Photographs:

Rob Gallop
Suzuki Grave photograph taken by Mr Gallop on the day of the funeral http://www.flickr.com/photos/robgallop/296633320/
Photographer: Rob Gallop
Sally-Ann Garrett
Suzuki headstone
Photographer: Sally-Ann Garrett
Sally-Ann Garrett
Japanese script
Photographer: Sally-Ann Garrett
Sally-Ann Garrett
Suzuki name
Photographer: Sally-Ann Garrett

Related Documents:

PDF file: Record of Suzuki funeral
''Transcription of the funeral of T Suzuki from the County Press''
PDF file: Story from IW Observer, June 28th 1902
''Suzuki, a Swordsmith of the Imperial Japanese Navy was buried in Ryde Cemetery on 26 June 1897. On the fifth anniversary of his death, his grave was visited by a group of his fellow sailors who had moored at Spithead.''
PDF file: Grave upkeep 1936

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