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Journal of Asia Pacific Studies ( 2010) Vol 1, No 2, 225-234
Through Americanized Japanese Woman’s
Eyes: Tsuda Umeko and the Women’s
Movement in Japan in the 1910s
Takeo Shibahara, Doshisha University, Japan
Abstract: The New York Times described Tsuda Umeko, as “Umeko
Tsuda, ‘Americanized Japanese woman’ as she is known in Japan” (New
York Times, July 7, 1913). i As this article suggested, Tsuda was born in
Japan in 1864 as a daughter of a progressive agriculturist of former
samurai class family. But at age six, she was sent to America to receive
modern education in 1871. Education and life experiences in America
nurtured progressive ideas within her. Tsuda had determined to play a
role model for girls in Japan and wanted to educate those girls who were
able to contribute society. However, upon returning to Japan in 1882,
Tsuda found that her desire to promote social reform by women’s hands
was unattainable. The Meiji government implemented gendered policies,
which emphasized traditional women’s roles in family rather than in
society. Japanese women in the privileged class who like Tsuda gained
access to western liberal ideologies, but who were alienated from society
and from women in other classes as well, were not able to overcome the
double standards embedded in gendered policies to transform knowledge
into social movement in the 1910s in Japan.
Keywords: Japan, Feminism, Women’s Movement, America
The New York Times described Tsuda Umeko, as
“Umeko Tsuda, ‘Americanized Japanese woman’ as she is
known in Japan” (New York Times, July 7, 1913). ii As this
article suggested, Tsuda was born in Japan in 1864 as a
daughter of a progressive agriculturist of former samurai
class family. But at age six, she was sent to America to
receive modern education in 1871. Education and life
experiences in America nurtured progressive ideas within
her. Tsuda had determined to play a role model for girls in
Japan and wanted to educate those girls who were able to
contribute society. However, upon returning to Japan in
1882, Tsuda found that her desire to promote social reform
by women’s hands was unattainable. The Meiji government
implemented gendered policies, which emphasized
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