Higuchi Ichiyo was a Japanese novelist born in Tokyo, Japan, and the second daughter of Higuchi Noriyoshi, a low-ranking official in the Tokyo Prefecture. She is recognized as the first professional female writer in modern Japan.

She began her education at Hongo Elementary School in 1877 but withdrew due to her age, later attending the private Yoshikawa School established by Yoshikawa Tomokichi. In 1881, her family moved to Okachimachi in the Shitaya Ward of Tokyo, where Ichiyo transferred to the private Aomi School in Ueno and studied waka poetry. She graduated first in her class from the fourth grade of the higher course in December 1883 but did not continue further education, likely due to her mother’s belief that it was unnecessary for women.

Ichiyo’s father supported her literary ambitions by arranging for her to study waka poetry under Wada Shigeo, a former Tokugawa retainer. In 1886, she began studying at Nakajima Utako's poetry school, Hagino-ya, through an introduction by Dr. Toda Sumian. There, she learned waka poetry, the Senke school writing style, and classical literature.

In 1889, Ichiyo’s father, having retired from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, invested in a cart rental business that failed, leaving the family with debts. He died in July of that year, and Ichiyo, then 17, assumed responsibility for her family.

In 1890, Ichiyo moved in as an apprentice at Hagino-ya but left after five months due to excessive duties beyond her role at the poetry school. She and her family then struggled financially, working various jobs including sewing and making summer sandals.

Ichiyo began writing novels around 1890. On April 15, 1891, through her sister Kuni's acquaintance, Nonomiya Kikuko, she became an apprentice to Hankai Tosui, a writer for the "Tokyo Asahi Shimbun". In March 1892, Ichiyo published "Yami Sakura" in the inaugural issue of Hankai’s literary magazine, "Musashino".

Facing financial difficulties, Ichiyo opened a small general store near the Yoshiwara red-light district in July 1893. However, competition led to the store's closure by May 1894.

Ichiyo's health deteriorated due to pulmonary tuberculosis, which was untreatable at the time. She died on November 23, 1896, in Maruyama Fukuyama-cho at the age of 24.

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography