OjiAji

Born in Kashima, a coastal town in Japan, OjiAji aka Ryotaro grew up surrounded by the wisdom and resilience of the women in his family. From an early age, he learned the values of community, listening, and creating safe spaces for meaningful conversations, often facilitated through the shared act of cooking. These traditions remain central to his identity and creative process today. At the age of five, he and his mother relocated to Cairns, the land of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people, to be closer to his father. This bold move symbolized his mother’s immense dedication to providing the best possible upbringing, even as she adjusted to a new country and culture. With frequent visits to Japan, OjiAji maintained a strong connection to his roots, balancing life between two distinct worlds. Now based in Naarm/Melbourne, OjiAji finds his creative voice through music and writing, inspired by the same values he…