Higuchi Ichiyō

2 May 1872 – 23 November 1896

Higuchi Ichiyō (1872-1896) was a Japanese writer of the Meiji period, regarded as the first prominent woman writer of modern Japan. Despite dying of tuberculosis at 24, she produced acclaimed short stories such as 'Takekurabe' (Child's Play) and 'Nigorie' (Troubled Waters) depicting the lives of Tokyo's poor. Her portrait appears on the Japanese 5,000 yen banknote.

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Life events

Born in Tokyo, Japan
2 May 1872

Born Higuchi Natsuko in Tokyo to a family of minor government-official status.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Entered the Haginoya poetry school
1886

Began studying classical Japanese poetry under Nakajima Utako at the Haginoya, a private school for waka poetry.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became head of her household after her father's death
1889

Following the death of her father in 1889, she took responsibility for supporting her mother and younger sister.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Began studying fiction writing under Nakarai Tōsui
1891

Sought mentorship from the newspaper novelist Nakarai Tōsui in hopes of earning a living by writing.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Published her first story, 'Yamizakura' (Flowers at Dusk)
March 1892

Her debut story appeared in the literary magazine Musashino under the pen name Ichiyō.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Moved near the Yoshiwara district and opened a small shop
1893

Relocated with her mother and sister to a poor neighborhood near Tokyo's Yoshiwara licensed quarter, an experience that informed her later fiction.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Published 'Takekurabe' (Child's Play)
1895 – 1896

Her best-known work, serialized in 1895-1896, portrayed children growing up on the edge of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter and won wide critical acclaim.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Published 'Nigorie' and 'Jūsan'ya' during her most productive period
1895

In her so-called 'fourteen months of miracles' she produced her major stories, including 'Nigorie' (Troubled Waters) and 'Jūsan'ya' (The Thirteenth Night).

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died of tuberculosis in Tokyo at age 24
23 November 1896

Her early death cut short a career that had already established her as a leading figure of Meiji literature.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓