“No nation can rise to full stature while half its people remain fettered.” — Sidney Lewis Gulick In Working Women of Japan, Sidney Lewis Gulick presents a groundbreaking exploration of gender, labor, and social transformation in one of the most pivotal eras of Japanese history. First published in the early 20th century, this cultural study documents the conditions, challenges, and triumphs of women laborers in Japan during the Meiji Restoration—a time of rapid industrial and political reform. Through firsthand observations and cultural analysis, Gulick exposes the double burden carried by women navigating tradition and modernity. From silk spinners and factory girls to domestic workers and educators, these women shaped the nation’s transformation while bearing the weight of systemic inequality. This modern edition brings renewed attention to a forgotten classic of gender studies, cultur