Hideko Fukuda

A women's activist during the Freedom and People's Rights period. Born on October 5, 1865 (Keio 1), in Bizen Province (Okayama Prefecture), as the third daughter of Kageyama Katashi, a samurai of the Okayama domain. From an early age, she studied Chinese classics at the urging of her mother Umeko, and after graduating from elementary school in 1880 (Meiji 13), she became an assistant teacher at her alma mater. In 1882, when Kishida Toshiko campaigned in Okayama, she formed the Okayama Women's Social Gathering Association and participated in the Freedom and People's Rights Movement. After the Liberal Party was dissolved, she joined the Korean reform movement with Oi Kentaro and others, but was arrested and imprisoned when their plans were discovered (Osaka Incident). She was released from prison under the general amnesty issued when the Imperial Constitution was promulgated in 1889, and married Oi, giving birth to one child, but they were divorced. In 1893, she married Fukuda Tomosaku (1865-1900), another freedom and civil rights activist, but she died leaving three children behind. After that, she became involved with socialists such as Ishikawa Sanshiro and participated in the activities of the Heiminsha Society. In 1907 (Meiji 40), she founded Sekai Fujin, and as chief editor, she advocated for "women's liberation." She also contributed to Seito. Although she was not well-off in her later years, she maintained an anti-authority stance throughout her life. She wrote books including her autobiography Warawa no Han Shogai (Half the Life of a Concubine). She was also passionate about educating women, and opened a private school called Jouko Gakusha (1883). She died on May 2, 1927 (Showa 2).

[Yoneda Sayoko]

"Half the Life of a Concubine" (Iwanami Bunko) ▽ "Shizuko Murata's "Eiko Fukuda" (Iwanami Shinsho)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

自由民権期の女性運動家。1865年（慶応(けいおう)1）10月5日、備前(びぜん)国（岡山県）、岡山藩士景山確(かげやまかたし)の三女として生まれる。幼時より母楳子(うめこ)の勧めで漢学を学び、小学校卒業後の1880年（明治13）に母校の助教諭となる。1882年岸田俊子(としこ)の岡山遊説を機に岡山女子懇親会を結成して、自由民権運動に参加。自由党解党後、大井憲太郎(けんたろう)らとともに朝鮮改革運動に加わるが、計画が発覚して逮捕、投獄される（大阪事件）。1889年帝国憲法発布の大赦令で出獄、大井と結婚して1子を生むが離別。1893年同じく自由民権運動家の福田友作(ともさく)（1865―1900）と結婚するが、3人の子を抱えて死別する。以後、石川三四郎ら社会主義者と交わって平民社の活動にも参加、1907年（明治40）には『世界婦人』を創刊、主筆として「婦人解放」の論陣を張った。『青鞜(せいとう)』にも寄稿している。晩年は不遇であったが、生涯反権力の姿勢を貫いた。自伝『妾(わらわ)の半生涯』などの著書がある。なお女子の教育にも熱心で、私塾蒸紅(じょうこう)学舎（1883）などを開いている。1927年（昭和2）5月2日死去。

［米田佐代子］

『『妾の半生涯』（岩波文庫）』▽『村田静子著『福田英子』（岩波新書）』

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