March 8th was International Women's Day. Are you familiar with Ichiyo Higuchi, a Japanese woman writer who was active in the latter half of the 19th century, a time when women still had a much lower status in society in Japan and other countries than they have today? Some of you reading this may remember what the 5,000 yen banknote in Japan looks like. Indeed, she is the person whose portrait is featured on the 5,000 yen banknote.

Ichiyo Higuchi was a female writer active in the latter half of the 19th century. Although she only lived a short life of 24 years, she had written many masterpieces, including "Takekurabe." Ichiyo lived a wealthy life when she was a child, but when she was 15, her brother died of illness and when she was 17, her father's business failed before he also died of illness. This chain of events resulted in Ichiyo having to shoulder the burden of caring for her family, which prompted her to begin writing novels while selling sundries and candy in the area that is now Ryusen, Taito City. During this period, she developed powerful insights into society and the people around her by visiting libraries in Ueno and reading numerous literary works, touring the Yoshiwara District that was also located in Taito City, and observing the children who patronized her store.

The Ichiyo Memorial Museum is located in Ryusen, Taito City, the site where she had blossomed into a major literary figure. At the museum, you can see a draft of her masterpiece "Takekurabe" and a replica of the desk that she had used. If you have a chance, drop by and learn the story behind this woman who made a tremendous impact in her short life.