Yamada, Kumeko
(1847 - 1911)

Born in Kanda, Tokyo. She worked as a midwife in the early days of the profession, which used to be called "sanba (old lady for delivery)." She contributed to the organization of midwives and their education, and also served each Imperial family. Very few midwives had a telephone in 1908, but as a professional she held a two-digit telephone number, Shinbashi 72.