Hisako Motono

Hisako Moto (born November 3, 1868 (September 19, Meiji 1) – December 12, 1947 (Showa 22)) was a Japanese women's rights activist. She was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture and moved to Tokyo at the age of four, where she was raised thereafter. She entered Nagatacho Elementary School (now Kojimachi Elementary School) as part of the first class and subsequently became part of the first graduating class of the Hanayashiki Girls' School. Due to this connection, she served many years as the president of the Tokiwa Society, an alumni association for female graduates of Joshi Gakushuin.

Her father was Yasushi Nomura, a samurai of the Choshu domain. Her eldest son was Motohide, and her second son was Morikazu. Her first husband was Mashide Mannri Kōji (the eighth son of Masao Mannri Kōji). Their eldest son, Motohide, was born from this marriage. Later, she married Ichiro Honno, a diplomat, with whom she had a second son, Morikazu, and a grandson, Moriyuki Honno.

Hisako Moto actively engaged in women's movements aimed at supporting the nation and society. In 1917 (Taisho 6), she became an executive member of the Patriotic Women’s Society, which supported military personnel and their families at the time, and in 1927 (Showa 2), she became its president, serving until 1939 (Showa 14). She contributed to the development of this organization.

Additionally, she was involved in social welfare and women’s activities, serving as vice-chairman of the Women's Voluntary Nursing Corps of the Japanese Red Cross Society and as chairwoman of the Children’s Protection Women’s Association. Through these roles, she worked to expand women’s social roles and improve welfare in Japan.

Sources include *Diplomatic Forum* (Urban Publishing, 1995) and *Japanese Women's Biographical Dictionary* (Japan Library Center).