Introduction

[nnozomi]

Thank you for coming to visit. The purpose of this site is, as the title suggests, to present a series of pocket histories of women in and around Japan during the pivotal period between 1868, the date of the Meiji Restoration when Japan took its first steps into modernity, and 1945, the end of the Second World War and with it the demise of the Japanese Empire. While excellent academic work has been done on the women of this period, there is little wide-ranging, easily accessible information in English to be found, and by introducing these women here I hope to make both the stories of their lives and the connections among them and their times more easily available.

The list at present contains over 150 women, to be presented roughly once a week in (roughly) chronological order (the earliest and latest were active within the prewar period only in strictly literal terms, but have been chosen for their interest regardless; birthdates range from 1817 to 1928). They include doctors, religious leaders, political wives, poets, educators, translators, activists, novelists, actresses, businesswomen, dancers, artists, historians, sex workers, athletes, princesses, and more. Women hailing from Japan’s various colonies have been included when they were active within present-day Japan to some extent; I am particularly interested in including more of these women and would welcome recommendations. As well, please don’t hesitate to ask about specific people, occupations, et cetera in accordance with interest.

I am not a professional historian or women’s studies scholar, I just have an MA in a related field; with some exceptions where I am personally well-informed, the information provided is gleaned mainly from the sources listed below (cited by last name and, where necessary, publication date in each entry) as well as from online information, linked as used. It is accurate to the best of my awareness, but has not been exhaustively verified.

It should go without saying, but description of the policies and practices of the Japanese Empire is not intended as endorsement in any sense (site style name included). Likewise, links to any given online site (including Wikipedia) should not be taken as a guarantee of the site’s reliability.

Thank you again for visiting.

Works Cited
Ishii Taeko, Kindai onna retsuden, Bungei Shunju: 2023
Mori Mayumi, Meiji kaijoden, Rodo Shunposha: 1996
--, Danpatsu no modan girl, Bungei Shunju: 2008
--, Onna no kippu, Iwanami Shoten: 2014
Nakae Katsumi, Meiji/Taisho wo ikita josei itsuwa jiten, Daisan Bunmeisha: 2015
Shimamoto Hisae, Meiji no josei-tachi, Misuzu Shobo: 1966
Tanaka Jun, Onna no tatakai, Shinchosha: 1957

Comments

[mekare]

What a great project! Did a Tumblr signal boost here: https://www.tumblr.com/mekare-art/728552269456490496/want-to-learn-about-historical-women-in-japan

[nnozomi]

Thank you very much! Much appreciated.

[solo]

What a great idea!

[nnozomi]

Thank you!

[luzula]

I didn't follow this back when you made it, but I have done so now! I don't know much about Japan, and it's so fascinating to get these glimpses of women's lives.

[nnozomi]

Good to see you around (and you can duck in and out as you like ;) ). I'm learning so many fascinating things putting this together, even though they're very small snatches of much larger stories.

Thank you!

[ysabetwordsmith]

This is a fascinating resource. I love seeing people reveal more of women's history.

Re: Thank you!

[nnozomi]

Thank you for coming by!