Ayako Ōkuma

Ayako Okuma (born November 28, 1850 (October 25, Kaei 3) – April 28, 1923 (Taisho 12)) was a woman who was active from the Meiji through the Taisho era in Japan. She is known as the second wife of Shigenobu Okuma, and supported her husband for over fifty years. Her maiden name was Saegusa, and her brother was Ryūnosuke Saegusa, a director at Kokura Railroad.

Born in 1850 as the second daughter of Yorinaga Saegusa, a bannerman family within Edo. She lost her parents in childhood and was adopted by her maternal uncle, Tadataka Oguri, and raised in Surugadai alongside her brother. During the late Edo period, as her family faced financial difficulties and owing to her samurai status, she is said to have worked in tea houses with Takuji Iwamatsu.

At age 18, she was engaged to Kōichirō Kashiwagi, an adopted son of master carpenter Tōzō Kawasaki, through an intermediary, but soon annulled the engagement. Subsequently, in 1869, she married Shigenobu Okuma, who was then 26 years old. Throughout their lives, she and Shigenobu built a good relationship and supported each other.

Ayako was modest yet generous, brave, and meticulous. She was always close to Shigenobu at home, actively involved in financial activities such as purchasing land. Even amidst the upheavals and political turmoil following the Meiji Restoration, she played a role in supporting their household and assets, indirectly backing her husband's political activities.

During the 1881 political upheaval, which caused financial hardship, she supported the family through land sales and frugality. When Shigenobu was attacked in 1889 and lost a leg, she responded decisively, supporting him with a cane and standing firmly by his side.

In 1893, she participated in women's organizations, contributing to publications such as *Mother of Law*, and was involved in founding patriotic women's groups. Even after her husband's retirement from politics, she helped manage family finances through asset organization and donations.

After Shigenobu's death in 1922, she traveled to recuperate with his daughter, and then passed away herself. Ayako continued to support her husband and family until her final days.

Her life illustrates the role and attitude of women during the Meiji era, particularly as supporters of their families.