Ōyama Sutematsu

Sutematsu Oyama blown-up

Ōyama Sutematsu (大山 捨松, 1860–1919) was one of the first Japanese women to study abroad in the United States and played a significant role in the Meiji Restoration's efforts to modernize Japan through education, particularly women's education. Born into a samurai family in what is now Kagoshima Prefecture, her life took a dramatic turn when she was selected as part of the Iwakura Mission, a Japanese diplomatic journey around the world aimed at studying Western ways of life and systems of governance.

Early Life

Ōyama Sutematsu was born in a period of great turmoil and change in Japan, as the country was transitioning from the feudal Edo period to the more modern Meiji era. Her family was of samurai lineage, which played a crucial role in her early education and the opportunities that would later come her way.

Iwakura Mission

In 1871, at the age of eleven, Sutematsu was chosen to be part of the Iwakura Mission. This mission, led by Iwakura Tomomi, was critical in the Meiji government's efforts to learn from the West and implement reforms in Japan. Sutematsu, along with four other young girls, was sent to the United States to receive a Western education, an unprecedented move at the time.

Education in the United States

Sutematsu spent ten years in the United States, where she lived with the Lanman family in New Haven, Connecticut. She attended the Hartford Public High School and later Vassar College, one of the few institutions of higher education for women in the United States at the time. Her time in America was instrumental in shaping her views on women's education and rights.

Return to Japan

Upon returning to Japan in 1882, Ōyama Sutematsu found herself in a unique position. She was one of the few women in Japan with a Western education, fluent in English, and with firsthand experience of Western culture and feminist ideas. She married Oyama Iwao, a prominent military figure, which further elevated her status and influence in Japanese society.

Contributions to Women's Education

Sutematsu was deeply involved in the promotion of women's education in Japan. She worked closely with Tsuda Umeko, another member of the Iwakura Mission, in these efforts. Together, they were instrumental in the establishment of the Peeresses' School (now part of Gakushuin University), which aimed at educating women of the nobility. Sutematsu's advocacy did not stop at the aristocracy; she also supported education for women from all social classes.

Legacy

Ōyama Sutematsu's legacy is profound. She is remembered not only as one of the first Japanese women to study abroad but also as a pioneer in the field of women's education in Japan. Her life and work symbolize the Meiji era's broader efforts to modernize Japan through education and cultural exchange.

Death

Ōyama Sutematsu passed away in 1919, leaving behind a legacy of educational reform and an example of cross-cultural understanding and exchange. Her contributions to Japanese society, especially in the realm of women's education, continue to be celebrated today.