Uryu Rock

A female social worker in the Meiji period. Active in providing relief to children and the poor. Born in Aizu. When Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle fell during the Boshin War, she nursed wounded soldiers and the poor, and also restored the old domain school, Nisshinkan, and worked to provide education for children and vocational training, as well as to end bad customs such as abortion and infanticide. After moving to Tokyo, she returned home and established the Fukushima Relief Home in 1889 (Meiji 22) to house the poor and orphaned. In 1891, she returned to Tokyo again and became the head of the early childhood care section at the Tokyo Municipal Orphanage, but returned home in October of the same year. She established the Aizu Saisei Hospital, the Fukushima Homeikai Childcare Department, and the Midwife Research Institute, among other things. She was also involved in providing protection to ex-prisoners. In 1894, she formed the Uryu Society and expanded her business. During the Sino-Japanese War, she cooperated in providing relief to wounded soldiers. She ended her colorful life as a female philanthropist connected to Buddhism. There is a bronze statue of her in Asakusa Park, Tokyo.

[Jouji Ogura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

明治の女性社会事業家。児童・窮民救済に活躍。会津(あいづ)に生まれる。戊辰(ぼしん)戦争による会津若松の落城の際、傷病兵、窮民の看護にあたり、また、旧藩校日新館の再興、子女の教育や授産の指導、さらに堕胎、間引きなどの悪習打破に努めた。いったん上京後帰郷し、1889年（明治22）に福島救育所をおこして窮民・孤児を収容。1891年再度上京し、東京市養育院の幼稚世話係長となったが、同年10月帰郷。会津済生病院、福島鳳鳴会(ほうめいかい)育児部、産婆研究所などを設立。出獄人保護にもかかわった。1894年「瓜生会」を結成し事業の拡大を行った。日清(にっしん)戦争に際しては傷病兵の救済に協力。仏教関係の女性慈善家として多彩な生涯を終えた。東京・浅草公園に銅像がある。

［小倉襄二］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例