DR. GINKO OGINO

Cast bronze, wood with urushi, 2017

Assembled obverse: Portrait; inscribed “Ginko Ogino/1851–1931

Assembled reverse: Female reproductive system; inscribed ”First Female Licensed Physician/Japan/1885”

Open medal: wood sphere with urushi, representing the minor planet named Ginkogino

Open obverse: inscribed “10526 GINKOGINO/APRIL 18 2011”

Open reverse: inscribed “MINOR PLANET/October 19, 1990 Okutama”

Ginko Ogino (1851–1913) was the first licensed and practicing female physician of western medicine in Japan. She contracted gonorrhea from her first husband and divorced by him. She resolved to become a doctor and help women in similar circumstances after the embarrassment of being treated by male doctors. Despite much prejudice and hardship, she graduated with highest scores from a private all-male medical academy in 1882. Through numerous petitions were required, she was allowed to take the medical practitioner’s examination in 1885. A minor planet 10526 (discovered by 2 Japanese amateur astrologists in 1990) was named Ginkogino in 2011.

Available for purchase, $975.