Born: 1886 (Tokyo, Japan)
Biography:
Hiratsuka Raichō was a Japanese writer, journalist, political activist, anarchist, and pioneering feminist. She was born in Tokyo on February 10, 1886, as Hiratsuka Haru, the second daughter of a high ranking civil servant. She received her education at Japan Women’s University in 1903, where she was influenced by European philosophy and Zen Buddhism, which she would later become a devoted practitioner of. During her time at the university, she delved into the works of influential thinkers such as Baruch Spinoza, Meister Eckhart, and G. W. F. Hegel.
One of the major influences on Hiratsuka was Swedish feminist writer Ellen Key, whose works she translated into Japanese. She was particularly drawn to Key’s ideas on individualism and the liberation of women. Another significant influence on Hiratsuka was the character of Nora, the individualistic heroine in Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House. These influences would shape Hiratsuka’s feminist beliefs and activism.
In 1908, Hiratsuka made headlines when she attempted a double-suicide with Morita Sōhei, her married teacher and a disciple of novelist Natsume Soseki. The pair was found alive on a mountain in Nasushiobara, Tochigi, but the incident stirred widespread public criticism. Despite the backlash, Hiratsuka remained determined to fight for her beliefs and advocate for social change.
After graduating from university, Hiratsuka entered the Narumi Women’s English School. In 1911, she founded Japan’s first all-women literary magazine called Seitō (Bluestocking in English). The name of the magazine was a nod to the historical role of women as intellectuals and scholars. Hiratsuka began the first issue with the powerful statement, In the beginning, woman was the sun, alluding to the spiritual independence that women had lost over time.
Under the pen name Raichō, meaning Thunderbird, she called for a women’s spiritual revolution. Initially focused on literature, the magazine soon shifted its focus to women’s issues, including the candid discussion of female sexuality, chastity, and abortion. Renowned poet and women’s rights advocate Yosano Akiko was among the contributors to Seitō.
While the magazine exposed many Japanese to the ideas of the modern feminists, the mainstream media’s rebuttals and exaggerated stories of the Seitō contributors’ love affairs and nonconformism painted them as attention-seekers rather than serious agents of change. This negative narrative turned public opinion against the magazine, prompting Raichō to publish fierce defenses of her ideals. In her April 1913 essay titled To the Women of the World, she rejected the conventional role of women as good wives and wise mothers, criticizing the societal expectation of entering loveless marriages for financial security.
Raichō’s nonconformism not only challenged society but also drew the attention of the state, further exacerbating the backlash against Seitō. Nevertheless, she remained committed to her cause and continued to advocate for women’s rights throughout her life.
Hiratsuka Raichō’s role in Japanese women’s history cannot be understated. She paved the way for future generations of feminists by challenging societal norms and advocating for women’s empowerment. Her courage, intellect, and dedication to gender equality continue to inspire and influence activists worldwide.