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Japan: Kusomoto Taki (aka Sonogi, 1807-1865), consort of Philip Franz Von Siebold and mother of their daughter, Oine, the first female physician and obstetrician in Japan

Japan: Kusomoto Taki (aka Sonogi, 1807-1865), consort of Philip Franz Von Siebold and mother of their daughter, Oine, the first female physician and obstetrician in Japan

Since mixed marriages were forbidden in Japan at this time, Von Siebold 'lived together' with his Japanese partner Kusumoto Taki. In 1827 Kusumoto Taki gave birth to their daughter, Oine. Von Siebold used to call his wife 'Otakusa' and named a Hydrangea after her. As a result of her father's efforts, Oine eventually became the first Japanese woman known to have received a physician's training, and became a highly-regarded practicing physician. She died in 1903.

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