The signature phrase "nine times falling, nine times rising again" encapsulated the professional philosophy of Hirooka Asako, a Japanese entrepreneur who navigated the complexities of nineteenth-century commerce. Rising from the constraints of traditional domestic expectations, she emerged as a financier and educator who influenced both the economic and social structures of her home country during its rapid industrialization.
Early Education and Marriage
Born on Demizu Street in 1849 as the daughter of the merchant Mitsui Takamasu, Asako grew up observing the educational disparity between herself and her brothers. In 1866, she married Hirooka Shinjirō. Despite her husband's initial skepticism, she sought self-directed learning by hiring private tutors to study mathematics, literature, and economics, effectively preparing herself for a future beyond typical household management.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Financial and Industrial Ventures
Following an economic crisis that destabilized her husband's family wealth, Hirooka took a central role in rehabilitating their financial standing. Her commercial activities included managing a coal mine and establishing a savings bank. She expanded her interests into the life insurance industry and secured investments in agricultural properties located in Korea, demonstrating a shift toward modern corporate management strategies.
Social and Educational Contributions
Hirooka played a significant part in the founding of Japan Women's University. She frequently engaged with the student body, advocating for a pragmatic curriculum rather than theoretical study. In 1911, she converted to Christianity, subsequently writing for various women's magazines and organizing religious gatherings at her residence near Mount Fuji. By 1912, she served as a key leader during the YWCA Summer Conference alongside figures such as Kawai Michi and Emma Kaufman.
Final Years
Hirooka lived through Japan's era of industrial modernization, which reshaped the scale of corporations and joint-stock capital. She passed away in Minato, Tokyo, in 1919 at the age of 69 due to influenza. Her life became the subject of the television drama Asa ga Kita, which aired between 2015 and 2016 and featured the actress Haru.
Fast facts
- Born: 1849, Demizu Street
- Died: 1919, Minato
- Marriage: 1866, to Hirooka Shinjirō
- Daughter: Kameko
- Core Occupations: Entrepreneur, banker, educator
- Citizenship: Japan
- Conversion: 1911 to Christianity
Questions readers ask
What industries did Hirooka Asako enter?
She managed a coal mine, started a savings bank, founded a life insurance company, and invested in Korean agricultural properties.
What was the inspiration for the television drama Asa ga Kita?
The series was a period drama based specifically on the life of Hirooka Asako, airing in 2015 and 2016.
