Answer summary
Yoko Ono was born on February 18, 1933 in Tokyo, Japan. This is the widely recorded date and location found in authoritative biographical sources. This profile explains the source basis for this information, clarifies common misconceptions, and outlines her early life context relevant to understanding her background and subsequent artistic and activist work.
Primary biographical detail and sourcing
Biographical registries, reference works, and institutional records consistently list February 18, 1933, as Yoko Ono’s birth date. The birthplace is documented as Tokyo, Japan, often specified as the city ward of Shibuya or the broader Tokyo metropolitan area in published materials. These data points appear in library catalogs, museum files, and major news‑media archives that rely on staff research and direct citation from family or estate records. When assessing date and place claims, priority is given to sources that cite official documents or institutional authority rather than informal or aggregated listings.
Typical source types behind the date
Published biographies, museum labels, and reference databases normally anchor this information to:
- Family-provided data on official registration or census documents.
- Curatorial records from institutions that maintain artist archives.
- Reputable reference works that employ editorial verification against primary documents.
Because the date and location recur across such vetted channels, they are treated as the verified baseline for further biographical reporting.
Notable background context around her birth era
February 1933 places Yoko Ono’s birth in the final months of Japan’s Empire period, prior to the Pacific War of the 1940s. Her early childhood unfolded against significant social and geopolitical change, which influenced later themes in her conceptual art and activism. Understanding the environment of her first years — including household mobility due to her family’s status and the broader wartime context — helps explain how early experiences informed her later interdisciplinary practice and engagement with peace and experimental media.
Common points of confusion or variation
Some listings or informal sources may show alternate year figures or less precise location descriptions. When cross-referencing multiple materials, prioritize sources that explicitly reference institutional or family records over those that present the data without attribution. Minor discrepancies in place (such as city versus ward) usually reflect differences in specificity rather than genuine conflicts in fact; the core date and country-level location remain stable across authoritative sources.
Verification checklist for further research
- Check library catalog and WorldCat entries for early bibliographic records.
- Review museum and gallery press materials that include curator notes.
- Consult official biographies or estate-published timelines for internally consistent dates.
Key biographical data at a glance
| Attribute | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | February 18, 1933 | Biographical reference works, institutional records |
| Place of birth | Tokyo, Japan (often documented as Shibuya, Tokyo) | Museum archives, curated biographies |
| Primary era context | Empire of Japan; pre–World War II early childhood | Historical timelines, biographical synthesis |