Japanese converted into Chinese (Bukit Brown)

Masiyah/ Masuiah / Ma Si Ye / 马士野 was born around 1853, and married into a Chinese family with the surname Tan. This information is from the burial entry and from her tomb. She passed away at the age of 81 on 22 May 1934, making her possibly has one of the early Japanese immigrants or settlers in Singapore. Another interesting point to note, in the burial records, it was written that Masiyah was a Japanese who converted into Chinese. (we know that is not possible, but nevertheless, very interesting indeed that it was described as so).

Postnote [2012] : From oral accounts from descendants of Cheong Koon Seng, Madam Masiyah or Mrs. Tan husband is a relative of Mr. Cheong Koon Seng. When Madam Masiyah passed away, she was residing at 299 River Valley Road, which is the house of Cheong Koon Seng whom allowed the then widowed Madam Masiyah to live with them.  The husband of Madam Masiya died or was lost at sea. Who is he exactly we do not know but it is possible that he could be the brother of Mrs. Cheong Ann Bee nee Madam Tan Huay Neo (who was also born around 1853 timeline). 

Extracted from the burial registrar (Japanese converted into Chinese)

Tomb of Masuiah / Ma Si Ya / 马士野

Other tombs in Bukit Brown who are non-Chinese include; Yamada Ofuni, Wiesje De Haay, Nek Mina.

Tomb of Masuiah / Masiyah (taken in 2013) 

Location of tomb 

Madam Masiya or Mrs. Tan is buried in Block 2 Division C, plot 125 which is close to Mrs. Cheong Ann Bee, Mr. & Mrs. Cheong Koon Seng (Block 2 Division C, plot 120, 121, 122). 

The tomb shoulders are decorated with Japanese imported tiles, while there is a unique 4 piece tile, with one of the tile wrongly placed. If anyone has more details do share ! From research done by Khoo Ee Hoon, another interesting nugget gathered was the residence listed in the burial registrar was 299 River Valley Road, the same address as Cheong Koon Seng.

Can you spot the mistake? 

Decorative tiles