Wakamatsu Shizuko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shizuko Wakamatsu
若松賤子 |
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| Native name |
巖本嘉志子
Iwamoto Kashiko |
| Born | 松川甲子 (Matsukawa Kashi) April 6, 1864 Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture |
| Died | February 10, 1896 (aged 31) Tokyo |
| Resting place | Somei Cemetery |
| Pen name | Wakamatsu Shizu, Wakamatsu Shizunojo, Bōjo (literary Joan Doe) |
| Occupation | Educator, translator, novelist |
| Language | Japanese, English |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Education | High school |
| Alma mater | Ferris Girls' High School, Yokohama |
| Period | 1886–1896 |
| Genre | Essays on education, children's literature and translation from English to Japanese |
| Literary movement | Jogaku zasshi, a magazine for women and juvenille |
| Spouse | Iwamoto Yoshiharu |
| Children | Kiyoko, Masahito, Tamiko |
| Relatives | Iwamoto Mari, granddaughter by Masahito |
Wakamatsu Shizuko (若松 賤子, 6 September 1864 – 10 February 1896) was an important Japanese educator, translator, and novelist. She is most famous for translating Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett into Japanese. She also helped bring Christian-themed stories to children's books in Japan.
Contents
Shizuko Wakamatsu: A Pioneer Writer
Early Life: Growing Up in Tough Times
Shizuko Wakamatsu was born in Aizu, Japan, in 1864. Her birth name was Kashi Matsukawa. When she was just one year old, her father left the family. He was involved in a big conflict called the Boshin War, fighting for his clan.
Her mother and baby sister faced very hard times and poverty in Aizu. Sadly, her mother passed away in 1870 when Kashi was only six years old.
A New Start in Yokohama
In 1871, a rich merchant from Yokohama, Ōkawa Jinbei, adopted Kashi. This was a big change for her. At age seven, she started studying at the Isaac Ferris Seminary. This school was led by Mary Eddy Kidder-Miller, an American missionary.
Kashi was baptized at the Church of Christ in Japan in 1877. This was an important moment in her life.
Becoming a Teacher and Writer
Kashi graduated from Isaac Ferris Seminary in 1881 when she was 17. She was one of the first students to graduate from the school. After graduating, she became a teacher of Japanese literature at her old school, which was then called Ferris Girls' High School.
She started using the family name Shimada for a while. Later, her natural father brought her back into his family records in Tokyo.
In 1886, Kashi met Iwamoto Yoshiharu, who lectured at her school. He published two of her articles in his magazine, Jogaku zasshi. One was a travel story, and the other was a poem written in English. It was around this time that she started using her pen name, Wakamatsu Shizuko. She chose "Wakamatsu" from her hometown and "Shizuko" meaning "servant of God."
She left Ferris Girls' High School and married Iwamoto Yoshiharu in 1889. Yoshiharu was the editor of Jogaku zasshi. Shizuko also began teaching English at Meiji Girls' School. She and Yoshiharu had two daughters and one son.
Her Famous Books and Translations
Wakamatsu Shizuko published over 50 works in Jogaku zasshi. Her most famous work was her translation of Little Lord Fauntleroy. This popular book was written by American novelist Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Bringing "Little Lord Fauntleroy" to Japan
Her translation, titled 小公子 (Shōkōshi), was published in parts between 1890 and 1892. Many people praised her writing style. It was easy to read and combined everyday language with more formal writing. Young readers loved her stories, and the book has been reprinted many times.
Starting in 1894, she also wrote about 70 essays in English for a journal called The Japan Evangelist. In these essays, she introduced Japanese books, traditions, and customs to English readers.
Her Lasting Impact
Wakamatsu Shizuko worked very hard as a writer and a housewife. Sadly, her health became worse. She passed away on February 10, 1896, in Tokyo. She is buried in Somei Cemetery.
Her work, especially her translation of Little Lord Fauntleroy, helped shape children's literature in Japan. She is remembered as a pioneer who brought new stories and ideas to young readers.
Notable Works
- 小公子 (Shōkōshi) (Translation of Little Lord Fauntleroy)
- 旧き都のつと (The Product of the Old City) (Travelogue)
- In Memoriam—Condolence Poem (木村鐙子を弔ふ英詩) (Poetry in English)
- 忘れがたみ (A Keepsake) (Translation of Adelaide Anne Proctor's poetry)
- クリスマス・キャロル (Christmas Carol) (Translation from Charles Dickens' David Copperfield)
- クリスマスの天使 (Christmas Angel) (Also titled as いわひ歌 (Carol))
