Born: 12 January 1896, Japan
Died: 11 July 1973
Country most active: Japan
Also known as: 吉屋 信子, Yoshiya Nobuko
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.
Nobuko Yoshiya, a Japanese novelist known for her prolific career during the Taishō and Shōwa periods, was born in Niigata prefecture to a samurai family in 1896. Despite societal expectations for women in her time, she pursued a writing career from her teenage years. In 1915, she moved to Tokyo, defying norms by adopting an androgynous style and owning a car. Yoshiya is known for creating the Class S genre, focusing on romantic friendships and adolescent girls’ fiction. Flower Tales (Hana Monogatari), which showcased romantic relationships, was popular among female students. Two Virgins in the Attic (Yaneura no nishojo) was semi-autobiographical, featuring a lesbian love story. Yoshiya’s influence extended to shōjo manga and Japanese lesbian literature. Her discreet long-term relationship with Chiyo Monma, whom she adopted as her daughter for dual legal protection, is well-documented. Nobuko Yoshiya’s legacy endures through her contributions to literature and her pivotal role in shaping the depiction of lesbian relationships in Japanese culture.