Hiratsuka Raicho's (1886-1971) manifesto “In the Beginning, Woman Was the Sun”

Abstract

The article represents a translation of Hiratsuka Raicho's (18861971) manifesto “In the Beginning, Woman Was the Sun”. Hiratsuka Raicho was a pioneering Japanese feminist, who ventured to go against traditions and social norms. She was brought up in a wealthy family, that supported Raicho's will to get higher education. Hiratsuka Raicho was interested in religion, philosophy and ethics. She constantly sought self-discovery and self-fulfillment, practicing Zen. She also studied English and Chinese classics. Epoch of westernization also made Hiratsuka Raicho a pioneering Japanese feminist. In 1911 she founded Japan’s first all-women literary magazine “Seito” (“Bluestocking Journal”). This journal was unique because it was the first magazine in Japan that was written and published entirely by women. In the first issue of “Seito” Hiratsuka Raicho published her manifesto: “In the Beginning, Woman was the Sun”. It was a reference to women and to the spiritual independence which women had lost. She wanted to reject the only conventional role of women as “ryosai kenbo” (“Good wife and wise mother”). Hiratsuka Raicho's ideas of spiritual liberations and independence were very close to other Japanese women. Manifesto “In the Beginning, Woman Was the Sun” was definitely published for educated women, who sought not to be “good wives and wise mothers” and who were discontented with their lower social status.