Planning is under way for a cemetery dedication to a Clutha River paddle steamer captain as part of a Clutha District Council project.
The council and the South Otago Museum are creating information panels outlining the life of Captain Tsukigawa who worked on the Clutha River for 35 years.
South Otago Museum curator Gary Ross said it was an exciting project for the museum, especially with the ''amazing'' material being made available for research and the developing opportunity to discuss the project with the Tsukigawa family and the community.
The information kiosk will be installed at the Balclutha Lawn Cemetery, and unveiled at a dedication ceremony late next month.
The dedication will be attended by representatives from the council, Tsukigawa family, Salvation Army, and the community.
Mr Ross hoped to also invite Japanese dignitaries.
He said the tale of Captain Tsukigawa was an integral part of Clutha's history, and once the cemetery panels were finished, he hoped to begin a project to ''more fully'' tell the captain's story.
Kazuyuki Kiyohei Tsukigawa was born in 1874 in Konoura-mura, on Uku Island, Japan.
After many early seafaring adventures, he made a journey on the vessel Clan McLeod from New York to New Zealand in 1895.
Mr Ross said after a dispute with the ship's captain on arrival, the then 20-year-old K. K. Tsukigawa walked off the vessel in Dunedin, leaving behind most of his possessions and three months' wages.
He then waited in the hills of Brockville until Clan McLeod had sailed, leaving him free to make a life in a new country.
Captain Tsukigawa's 35-year career on board paddle-steamers on the Clutha River started with seven years on the vessel PS Clyde.
He then went on to become remembered fondly as the captain of the PS Clutha, on which he worked for more than 25 years.
He became a respected member of the community in Balclutha.
His wedding in 1913 to Lieutenant Adelaide Clarke, of the Salvation Army, attracted 600 witnesses.
''His continuous demonstrations of generosity and heroism confirmed his strong values and a personal desire to demonstrate the valour of the Japanese people.
"His fondness for his homeland resulted in visits to Japanese naval vessels visiting New Zealand and a substantial last expedition to Japan in 1936.''
Since his passing in 1948 the reputation of Captain Tsukigawa and interest in his life story has generated publications, documentaries and even dedications in the township of Balclutha, Mr Ross said.
In 2007, a new subdivision in the Rosebank area of Balclutha was named Tsukigawa Tce in his honour.
Mr Ross said anyone interested in the dedication or the biographical material being compiled for the project is welcome to contact the museum in Balclutha.
