Colonel Kiye Yamamuro was born in the Empire of Japan into a family with samurai heritage. After completing her studies, she first encountered The Salvation Army in a poor district of Tokyo, where two women were running the mission. Recognizing their struggles to connect with the local people, she taught them Japanese customs, helping them attract more followers.

Moved by her faith, she surrendered herself to officership at the altar, crying out to God, “Give me this power, and I will obey in all things.”

At the time, a cruel law required women in prostitution to work in licensed quarters of the city. If they wished to leave, they needed written permission from the brothel owner, leaving around 50,000 women and girls trapped with no legal way out. In response, Yamamuro was placed in charge of the first women’s home, a refuge that helped these women escape their traffickers and build new lives.

Her dedication took a toll on her health, and she passed away at the young age of 42. As she lay on her deathbed, the Salvationist samurai Kiye Yamamuro left a powerful message for those gathered around her: “You belong to the Army of God—don’t live for small things.”