Born: 1703, Japan
Died: 2 October 1775
Country most active: Japan
Also known as: 福田千代尼, Kaga no Chiyo, 加賀 千代女
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Fukuda Chiyo-ni (福田 千代尼), also known as Kaga no Chiyo (加賀 千代女), was a prominent Japanese poet during the Edo period and a Buddhist nun. She is widely celebrated as one of the preeminent masters of haiku, which was then referred to as hokku. Notable works by Chiyo include “The Morning Glory,” “Putting up my hair,” and “Again the women.”
In a time when female haiku poets faced dismissal and neglect in the realm of pre-modern Japanese literature, Chiyo-ni emerged as a pivotal figure. She began writing haiku at the age of seven and gained significant popularity across Japan by the age of seventeen. Throughout her life, she remained dedicated to her craft. Influenced by the renowned poet Matsuo Bashō while establishing her own distinctive voice, Chiyo-ni not only paved her path to success but also opened doors for other women to follow. Her contributions extended beyond her homeland, as she is recognized as a trailblazer who facilitated international cultural exchange.