Nahoko Takada (Japanese: 高田なほ子, romanized: Takada Nahoko; née Watanabee, 18 January 1905 – 19 May 1991) was a Japanese…Nahoko Takada (Japanese: 高田なほ子, romanized: Takada Nahoko; née Watanabee, 18 January 1905 – 19 May 1991) was a Japanese educator, trade unionist, politician, socialist and peace activist.
Wakamatsu Shizuko (若松 賤子; 6 September 1864 – 10 February 1896) was a Japanese educator, translator, and novelist best…Wakamatsu Shizuko (若松 賤子; 6 September 1864 – 10 February 1896) was a Japanese educator, translator, and novelist best known for translating Little Lord Fauntleroy written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. She is also known for introducing literature with Christianity for children's novels.
Princess Ōyama Sutematsu (大山 捨松; born Yamakawa Sakiko (山川 咲子); February 24, 1860 – February 18, 1919) was a Japanese…Princess Ōyama Sutematsu (大山 捨松; born Yamakawa Sakiko (山川 咲子); February 24, 1860 – February 18, 1919) was a Japanese socialite in the Meiji era, and the first Japanese woman to receive a college degree. She was born into a traditional samurai household which supported the Tokugawa shogunate during the Boshin War. As a child, she survived the monthlong siege known as the Battle of Aizu in 1868, and lived briefly as a refugee. In 1871, Yamakawa was one of five girls chosen to accompany the Iwakura Mission to America and spend ten years receiving an American education. At this time, her name was changed to Yamakawa Sutematsu (山川 捨松), or, when she wrote in English, Stematz Yamakawa. Yamakawa lived in the household of Leonard Bacon in New Haven, Connecticut, becoming particularly close with his youngest daughter Alice Mabel Bacon. She learned English and graduated from Hillhouse High School, then attended Vassar College, the first nonwhite student at that fledgling women's university. She graduated with the Vassar College class of 1882, earning an A.B. After graduation, she remained a few more months to study nursing, and finally returned to Japan in October 1882. When she first returned to Japan, Yamakawa looked for educational or government work, but her options were limited, especially because she could not read or write Japanese. In April 1882, she accepted a marriage proposal from Ōyama Iwao, a wealthy and important general, despite the fact that he had fought on the opposing side of the Battle of Aizu. As her husband was promoted, she was elevated in rank to become Countess, Marchioness, and finally Princess Ōyama in 1905. She was a prominent figure in Rokumeikan society, advising the Empress on Western customs. She also used her social position as a philanthropist to advocate for women's education and volunteer nursing. She assisted in the founding of the Peeresses' School for high-ranking ladies, and the Women's Home School of English, which would later become Tsuda University. She died in 1919 when the 1918 flu pandemic reached Tokyo.
Baron Yamakawa Kenjirō (山川 健次郎; 9 September 1854 – 26 June 1931) was a Japanese samurai, politician, physicist…Baron Yamakawa Kenjirō (山川 健次郎; 9 September 1854 – 26 June 1931) was a Japanese samurai, politician, physicist, academic administrator, and author of several histories of the Boshin War. He served as president of Tokyo Imperial University, Kyushu Imperial University, and Kyoto Imperial University. He also served as a Privy Councilor and a member of the House of Peers. Though his name is commonly written "Yamakawa," he himself wrote it as "Yamagawa" in English.
Baron Yamakawa Hiroshi (山川 浩, Hiroshi Yamakawa; 4 December 1845 – 6 March 1898) was a Japanese general, samurai…Baron Yamakawa Hiroshi (山川 浩, Hiroshi Yamakawa; 4 December 1845 – 6 March 1898) was a Japanese general, samurai, politician and educator. Originally a samurai from Aizu Domain during Bakumatsu, he became a general in the early Meiji era Imperial Japanese Army. He was also one of the first persons, together with his brother Kenjirō, to write a history of the Aizu War from the Aizu perspective. His brother-in-law was general Oyama Iwao, who married his sister Sutematsu.
Akizuki Teijirō (秋月 悌次郎; 1824 – January 5, 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who served the…Akizuki Teijirō (秋月 悌次郎; 1824 – January 5, 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period, who served the Matsudaira clan of Aizu. Born in Aizuwakamatsu, Akizuki was recognized early as a skilled scholar, and he studied at the Tokugawa Shogunate's Shoheizaka school in Edo. He served as an advisor to Matsudaira Katamori, and was present for most of the latter's tenure as Kyoto Shugoshoku from 1862 to 1867. Akizuki was a senior commander of Aizu forces during the Boshin War. After the war, he became an educator, and worked in high schools in Kyushu. Later in his life, he was a colleague of Lafcadio Hearn, who referred to him in his writings.