Copyright © 2024 Tokyo in Pics | Powered by Tokyo in Pics
Ginko Ogino – a woman in a man’s world
Ginko Ogino (荻野吟子) rests in the beautiful Zoshigaya Cemetery. Her grave is unique in my Tokyo experience. It led me to find out more about her. By the way, have you heard of this woman? Her life was filled with trials and tribulations. She was one of Japan’s early medical pioneers. Let’s find out more about her.
A Brief History of Ginko Ogino
Born on March 3, 1851, in Saitama prefecture next to Tokyo, she married at sixteen. Contracting gonorrhea from her husband, she divorced him soon after. It was very shameful to contract such a disease at that time. And to compound that problem, it probably wasn’t pleasant to be treated by male doctors. As a result, she decided to become a doctor herself.
She took the doctor’s examination when she graduated from the Tokyo Women’s Normal School. After passing it, she became Japan’s first female registered doctor in 1885. Specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, Ginkgo opened a hospital in Yushima. This was at a time when men dominated medicine. She was a true trailblazer for future generations of women.
In 1890 she remarried. This time it was to a protestant clergyman. She went with him to Hokkaido in 1894, where she ran another practice. Upon her husband’s death, she returned to Tokyo in 1908 and resumed running her hospital. She died in 1913 and now lies in Zoshigaya Cemetery.
Her grave is nice. A statue of her is in one corner. It portrays her in the clothes typical of the time. In the middle is her grave, surrounded by some memorials. It is lovely and always in good condition. If you visit it, fresh flowers will often be there.
Does the statue look like Ginko? I’ve only seen photos of her taken later in life, so I can’t comment with any accuracy. The statue seems to be a young version. But it is filled with detail and looks lifelike. It’s a Tokyo photo spot with a difference!
Where is Ginko Ogino buried?
She lies in the green and peaceful Zoshigaya Cemetery. The concrete jungle of Ikebukuro isn’t far from it. Many famous people are there with her. It is a fantastic place to visit and a great place to learn Japanese history.
How to find her grave
You can get a map from the cemetery’s administration building at its entrance. It has the grave number and location, so it’s not hard to find.
For more Zoshigaya-related articles, look at:
- Hideki Tojo
- Lafcadio Hearn
- Soseki Natsume
- Zoshigaya Cemetery (main article)
External related websites:
- The life of a trailblazer: Ogino Ginko (on Hektoen International)