The tomb of Chinese design, Tojin-baka, on Ishigaki Island which serves as a memorial for 300 Chinese laborers who died in Ishigaki, has an exotic background. In 1852, a group of Chinese left Hsia-men in southeastern China on a British ship to go to America to work in the gold fields of California. Before far into the journey, an incident occurred on board between the Chinese and the British.

Two stories of how the incident was caused have been told. One story is that the British tried to force the Chinese to sign certain contracts, but the Chinese refused. Another story tells that the British captain and crew threw two sick Chinese into the sea, resulting in the Chinese becoming angry and killing the captain and six crew members.

No matter the cause, the ship urgently put in at Ishigaki and the Chinese were forced to disembark. Later, British troops landed at Ishigaki Island to capture and punish the Chinese. Unfortunately, 300 hundred Chinese were killed by the British troops and the rest were again taken aboard.

Initially the local people made simple tombs and memorial services were observed for a long period of time. In 1971, Ishigaki City constructed a large, new tomb in the Chinese style. The tomb has now become a historical site commemorating the Chinese incident, but it also serves to promote international friendship.