Gintaro Nizuhara, a Japanese juggler, toured New Zealand in 1909 as one of the headline acts in Maskelyne and Devant's magic show. His wife Isabella, who was either English or Scottish, took part in some of his performances. The popularity of Gintaro's act did not prevent some Gisborne residents from suggesting he was a Japanese spy after he was seen taking tourist photos at the local port. Many New Zealanders at that time feared an 'Asiatic invasion' and were suspicious of 'orientals.' At the time of the tour, Gintaro had been based in London for the previous nine years.
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Alexander Turnbull Library, Irene Cox Collection
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PA1-q-235-120A
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