Itō Umeko

Ume Ko Ito (born November 8, 1848 (Kaei 1, lunar calendar), in Nagato Province (present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture)) was born as the eldest daughter of Kida Kyubei. She became the adopted daughter of the teahouse "Iroha-ro" in Akamagaseki (present-day Shimonoseki City) and took the geisha name "Koumei." Around 1864 (Genji 1), shortly after returning from England, she met Hirobumi Ito. At that time, Hirobumi Ito was already married to Sumikо, the sister of Kyuichi Irie and Yasushi Nomura, but in 1866 (Keio 2), he divorced Sumikо, and Ume Ko became his second wife. In the same year, she gave birth to their eldest daughter Sadako (who died in 1868) and second daughter Kofuko (September 19, 1868 – January 2, 1934). Subsequently, she adopted Asako (1876–1944), and raised adopted children Hirokuni (childhood name Yuukyoku, son of Inoue Koento, 1870–1931), Shinichi (1890–1980), and Fumi Kichi.

With Hirobumi Ito becoming Japan’s first Prime Minister, Ume Ko also became the first First Lady of the Cabinet. Her demeanor and conduct are described in Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s "Hanabi." Ume Ko was noted for her spirited nature, scholarly ambition, self-restraint, and devotion to learning. She studied waka poetry under Shimo Tago and also made efforts to learn English. She was always attentive to her appearance and was regarded as a model of feminine virtue.

When Hirobumi Ito was assassinated on October 26, 1909 (Meiji 42), she is said not to have shown tears. However, it is believed that she composed a poem in her private room: "For the country, I shed light and hope, though I think of you, my dear, it was sorrowful." Afterward, she left Sōrōkaku (Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture) and moved around to various residences, including the home of Sanematsu Kenzō in Tokyo, who was her daughter’s husband. Ume Ko died on April 12, 1924.