I went to visit Little Godie which the oldest Japanese grave in the UK right here in Bishopwearmouth cemetery and it has a remarkable story to tell…
He was a 15-month-old infant who died on February 21, 1873 was the son of Japanese natives Omoterson and Godie (or Omotrson Godie), who were the active members of a touring Japanese acrobatic troupe known as Tannaker’s Japanese.
The successful act was performing in Sunderland, when the infant sadly passed away which meant he had to be buried at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery.
His headstone marks the first known Japanese monument and burial ever to take place in the United Kingdom and is remarkably well tendered for.
The inscription reads: “Here lies little Godie, who died on the 21st of February, 1873, the son of Omotrson Godie, native of Japan, and member of Tannaker’s Japanese” (accompanied by a gilded Japanese family crest in red letters).
Engraved below in black is “This is the first Japanese monument erected in this country”…