Known for saving her husband’s life, this stele commemorates Narasaki Ryō. She was the wife of Sakamoto Ryōma. Today we honor her bravery and quick thinking.
Narasaki Ryō, born in Kyoto in 1841, lived a life intertwined with historical upheaval. She is also known as Oryō. Her story is one of courage and devotion during a turbulent era. The Narasaki Ryō Stele stands as a tribute to her remarkable life.
Oryō’s father was a physician named Narasaki Shōsaku. He faced imprisonment during the Ansei Purge. This event surely shaped Oryō’s early life. Imagine the challenges she faced.
She married Sakamoto Ryōma in 1864. Ryōma was a key figure in the Meiji Restoration. Oryō’s life took a dramatic turn during the Teradaya Incident.
In 1866, while working at Kyoto’s Teradaya Inn, Oryō overheard assassins. She was taking a bath that evening. An assassin thrust his spear through the bathroom window near her. Without hesitation, she grabbed the spear. She confronted the attacker.
Oryō quickly jumped from the tub. She ran to warn Sakamoto and his bodyguard Miyoshi Shinzo. Her quick action saved their lives. Sakamoto and Miyoshi fought their way out of the inn with only slight injuries. This is a testament to her courage and love for her husband.
Sakamoto’s injuries led them to Kagoshima Prefecture. They visited hot springs believed to have healing properties. This trip is considered by some to be the first Japanese honeymoon.
After Sakamoto Ryōma’s assassination in 1867, Oryō’s life changed again. She remarried in 1875. Her second husband was the merchant Nishimura Matsubē. She took the name Nishimura Tsuru. Oryō later adopted her sister’s child.
Despite her earlier heroism, Oryō faced hardship in her later years. She suffered from alcoholism. She died in poverty in 1906 at the age of 64. Oryō was buried in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
In 1914, a tombstone was erected for her. This was made possible by her widower, sister, and supporters.
The Narasaki Ryō Stele reminds us of Oryō’s courage. She saved her husband’s life. She lived through challenging times. Her story is an inspiring part of Japanese history. The stele stands as a symbol of her enduring legacy. It’s a reminder of her bravery and devotion.