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The ''Sekirankai'' (赤らん会; Red Wave Society) was a Japanese socialist women's organization active in 1921. Members of an anarchist group established the organization in April 1921. Prominent feminists Yamakawa Kikue and Noe Itō were advisers for the group, which participated in that year's May Day activities, published the magazine ''Omedetashi'', held seminars and lectures, and distributed anti-war leaflets to the army. Their manifesto condemned capitalism, arguing that it turned women into slaves and prostitutes. The ''Sekirankai'' was the first women's socialist association and clashed with ''Shin Fujin Kyōkai'' (the New Women's Association). The organization dissolved eight months after its creation. ==History== The ''Sekirankai'' was formed at time in Imperial Japan when socialist thought gained enough momentum to be expressed publicly. At the time, Article 5 of the restrictive Peace Preservation Law prohibited women from attending political meetings or joining political organizations. The ''Sekirankai'' was founded in April 1921 from an anarchist group established by Sakai Magara, Kutsumi Fusako, Hashiura Haruno, and Akizuki Shizue. It was the first women's socialist association. Advisers for the organization were Yamakawa Kikue and Noe Itō. The society had about 42 members, 17 of whom were active. As members of the ''Sekirankai'' had personal ties with ''Nihon Shakai Shugi Dōmei'' (Japan Socialist League), the organization has been referred to as the "women's office" of the league. The ''Sekirankai'' sought to overthrow the capitalist system. Their platform stated "We will fight any form of oppression that keeps us and our brothers and sisters in ignorance, poverty, and positions of subordination." One of the first activities of the organization was to plan for that year's May Day. The previous year's May Day activities, held in Tokyo's Ueno Park, were Japan's first public celebration of May Day and were estimated to include 5000 people. Yamakawa Kikue drafted a manifesto for the group, ''Fujin ni Gekisu'' (Manifesto to Women), that was made into leaflets to be distributed at the event. In the manifesto, Yamakawa decried capitalism for engendering imperialism, framing the problems of capitalism from a woman's perspective. About 20 women members of the ''Sekirankai'' marched during the May Day activities. They carried red and black flags that were made by Hashiura Haruko and smaller flags painted with "R. W." for Red Wave. They paraded through the political meeting. All of the women were arrested. Sensational accounts of the event from journalists resulted in government restrictions on the organization's movements. In June 1921, members of the ''Sekirankai'' held a lecture on women's issues at Kanda Seinen Kaikan. Yamakawa Kikue, Itō Noe, Kutsumi Fusako Fujimori Seikichi, Sakai Magara, Eguchi Kan, and Ishikawa Sanshirō were lecturers at the meeting. In July, the ''Sekirankai'' held a five-day seminar and published the magazine ''Omedetashi'' (Auspicious Magazine). The ''Sekirankai'' were also critical of their fellow Japanese women's organization, ''Shin Fujin Kyōkai'' (New Women's Association), formed in 1920. Yamakawa offered harsh criticisms in an article for the July 1921 issue of ''Taiyō'', "The New Women's Association and the Red Wave Society".〔 She wrote there that "Revolution is essential for women. Only the Sekirankai can provide the answer." In October 1921, they participated in the Guntai Sekka Jiken (Communization of the Army Incident) and distributed anti-war leaflets to the army through the mail. By the end of 1921, the activities of the ''Sekirankai'' had come to a halt. A lack of alliances with other women's groups, government oppression, and public criticism all contributed to the dissolution of the organization in December, only eight months after it was founded. Many members of the organization went on to form spin-off groups such as the discussion group ''Suiyōkai'' (Wednesday Society) and the organization ''Yōkakai'' (Eighth Day Society). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sekirankai」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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