Uryū Iwako, statue in Asakusa

Uryū Iwako (瓜生 岩子, February 15, 1829 - April 19, 1897), also known as Uryū Iwa, was a noted Japanese social worker during the Meiji period. She established a midwifery research institute and relief facility to care for orphans and the poor, and promoted social work and girls' education.

Life

Iwako was born in Kitakata, Fukushima, to a merchant family of the Aizu domain. She lost her parents at age 9, and was looked after by grandparents. She was educated by an uncle-in-law, who was a doctor.[1]

Following the Meiji Restoration, she worked to promote girls' education, and various forms of social work. After becoming widowed at a young age, she devoted her life to helping poor and orphans, took the lead in building hospitals, and contributed to improving the living conditions of Fukushima and Tokyo's average citizens.[2] In 1893, she founded the Fukushima Aiikuen Orphanage, which is still in operation today.[3] She established Kitakata's Saisei Hospital and an institution devoted to midwifery research.[1]

Iwako was the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor with Blue Ribbon, which is awarded by the Japanese government to outstanding individuals in the field of social welfare or public service.[4][5] A bronze statue in her honor was dedicated in Shōkōen Park, Asakusa in April 1901.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Bronze Statue of Uryu Iwako". taito-culture.jp. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
  2. ↑ Maeda, Ai (2004). Text and the City: Essays on Japanese Modernity. Durham: Duke University Press. p. 159. ISBN 9780822333463.
  3. ↑ "社会福祉法人愛育園 - 福島市". www.city.fukushima.fukushima.jp. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  4. ↑ MATCHA. "The Hidden Treasures of Sensōji Temple: Eccentric Statues?!". MATCHA - JAPAN TRAVEL WEB MAGAZINE. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
  5. ↑ "（´・ω・）日本語に訳して頂けませんか？（翻訳機×）". Yahoo!知恵袋 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-09-17.
  6. ↑ Maeda, Ai (2004). Text and the city : essays on Japanese modernity. Fujii, James A., 前田, 愛(1932-1987). Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press. ISBN 0822333341. OCLC 53231744.
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