Hisa Ōta

Hisa Ōta (大田ひさ, May 7, 1868–April 2, 1945) was a Japanese stage actress who spanned the Meiji and Taishō periods of Japan and was known by the name Hanako (花子). Starting in 1900, she spent the majority of her career touring Europe and was the only Japanese person to model for Rodin, who gave her two masks he created, using Hanako as a model.^[1] These masks are on display in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, where she spent her twilight years.^[1] She was also the basis for Mori Ōgai's short story Hanako.

Basic Timeline

1868 - Born in Kamisobue, Nakashima, Owari Province (now Ichinomiya, Aichi) to a farmer.
1875 - Adopted by a green-grocer, as her family was unable to afford to feed her.
1902 - Travels to Europe for the first time.
1904 - Begins touring Germany with a performance troupe.
1906 - Meets Rodin.
1907 - Travels to America for the first time.
1910 - Travels to Russia for the first time.
1916 - Returns to Japan to recruit dancers for her troupe and begins touring Europe again.
1921 - Returns to Japan for good.
1927 - Adopts her brother's son.
1934 - Granddaughter is born.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b Gifu City Walking Map. Gifu Lively City Public Corporation, 2007.
^ Little Hanako: The Strange Store of Rodin's Only Japanese Model, by Suketaro Sawada. Chunichi Publishing Company, Nagoya, Japan, 1984.

[map-1] Gifu City Walking Map. Gifu Lively City Public Corporation, 2007.

[little-2] Little Hanako: The Strange Store of Rodin's Only Japanese Model, by Suketaro Sawada. Chunichi Publishing Company, Nagoya, Japan, 1984.

[1]

[2]