Female Warriors
There have been debates from Linguistic purists who argue that there are no term “female samurai” because the term "samurai" is a masculine word. Nonetheless, for thousands of years, certain upper class Japanese women have learned martial skills and participated in fighting.
“Between the 12th and 19th centuries, many women of the samurai class learned how to handle the sword and the Naginata (a blade on a long staff) primarily to defend themselves and their homes. In the event that their castle was overrun by enemy warriors, the women were expected to fight to the end and die with honor, weapons in hand.” (Candide Media Works). Some young women were such skilled fighters that they rode out to war beside the men, rather than sitting at home and waiting for war to come to them.
“With their husbands in combat almost continuously, 16th century samurai women provided for the defense of their homes and children. Their wartime roles included washing and preparing the decapitated bloody heads of the enemy, which were presented to the victorious generals. Like their samurai husbands, personal honor was paramount for samurai women. They carried small daggers and were always prepared to die to maintain their honor and family name.
After Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan, the role of women changed. Their samurai husbands, no longer fighting wars, had become bureaucrats. Women were now encouraged to supervise their children's education and manage the home.
Travel was highly restricted for samurai women during the years of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Forbidden from traveling alone, they were required to carry travel permits, and were usually accompanied by a man. Samurai women often were harassed by the authorities when passing through the government inspection posts.”(Candide Media Works).
Another name for Japanese female samurai was onna-bugeisha. The "onna-bugeisha was a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese upper class. Many wives, widows, daughters, and rebels answered the call of duty by engaging in battle, commonly alongside samurai men. They were members of the bushi (samurai) class in feudal Japan and were trained in the use of weapons to protect their household, family, and honor in times of war. They also represented a divergence from the traditional 'housewife' role of the Japanese woman. They are sometimes referred to as female samurai. Significant icons such as Empress Jingu, Tomoe Gozen, Nakano Takeko, and Hōjō Masako are famous examples of onna-bugeisha." (Onna-bugeisha).
“Between the 12th and 19th centuries, many women of the samurai class learned how to handle the sword and the Naginata (a blade on a long staff) primarily to defend themselves and their homes. In the event that their castle was overrun by enemy warriors, the women were expected to fight to the end and die with honor, weapons in hand.” (Candide Media Works). Some young women were such skilled fighters that they rode out to war beside the men, rather than sitting at home and waiting for war to come to them.
“With their husbands in combat almost continuously, 16th century samurai women provided for the defense of their homes and children. Their wartime roles included washing and preparing the decapitated bloody heads of the enemy, which were presented to the victorious generals. Like their samurai husbands, personal honor was paramount for samurai women. They carried small daggers and were always prepared to die to maintain their honor and family name.
After Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan, the role of women changed. Their samurai husbands, no longer fighting wars, had become bureaucrats. Women were now encouraged to supervise their children's education and manage the home.
Travel was highly restricted for samurai women during the years of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Forbidden from traveling alone, they were required to carry travel permits, and were usually accompanied by a man. Samurai women often were harassed by the authorities when passing through the government inspection posts.”(Candide Media Works).
Another name for Japanese female samurai was onna-bugeisha. The "onna-bugeisha was a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese upper class. Many wives, widows, daughters, and rebels answered the call of duty by engaging in battle, commonly alongside samurai men. They were members of the bushi (samurai) class in feudal Japan and were trained in the use of weapons to protect their household, family, and honor in times of war. They also represented a divergence from the traditional 'housewife' role of the Japanese woman. They are sometimes referred to as female samurai. Significant icons such as Empress Jingu, Tomoe Gozen, Nakano Takeko, and Hōjō Masako are famous examples of onna-bugeisha." (Onna-bugeisha).
Japan's Empresses
Empress Pimiko
In the early history of Japan and China there are early historical accounts made by Chinese travelers describing the queen of the Land of WA (Ancient Japan). Her name was Pimiko “sun-daughter” she began her rule around 183 CE. According to historical accounts she was an elderly woman who has never married. Chinese historical facts of how she came to rule;
“Formerly the country had men as rulers. However, for seventy or eighty years after that the country had disturbances and warfare. Finally people agreed to take a woman as their ruler, and called her Pimiko (Himiko). She was adept in the ways of Shamanism, [using supernatural powers], and could bewitch people. In her mature years, she was yet unmarried and had her younger brother help her rule the country. After she became the ruler, there were only a few who ever saw her. She had one thousand maidservants, but there was only one male servant attending her. His functions were to serve her food and drinks, to communicate messages, and to enter and leave her quarters. The queen resided in a palace surrounded by towers and barricades, with guards maintaining a constant watch….”1(Ancient Japanese Empresses).
Empress Pimiko was an intelligent woman who brought trade and diplomatic relations between China and Japan. She accomplished this by sending envoys, gifts of slaves and bolts of special cloth to the Emperor of China. This was her way of showing respect to a neighbor and fellow ruler. The earliest empresses like Pimiko were probably also female shamans. “Shamans were thought to have supernatural powers acting as intermediaries between humans and gods. The Japanese word for shamans is Miko—literally divine woman. There is no Japanese word for a male shaman. This suggests that one source of these early female rulers’ power was their status as Miko.”1 (Ancient Japanese Empresses).
In the early history of Japan and China there are early historical accounts made by Chinese travelers describing the queen of the Land of WA (Ancient Japan). Her name was Pimiko “sun-daughter” she began her rule around 183 CE. According to historical accounts she was an elderly woman who has never married. Chinese historical facts of how she came to rule;
“Formerly the country had men as rulers. However, for seventy or eighty years after that the country had disturbances and warfare. Finally people agreed to take a woman as their ruler, and called her Pimiko (Himiko). She was adept in the ways of Shamanism, [using supernatural powers], and could bewitch people. In her mature years, she was yet unmarried and had her younger brother help her rule the country. After she became the ruler, there were only a few who ever saw her. She had one thousand maidservants, but there was only one male servant attending her. His functions were to serve her food and drinks, to communicate messages, and to enter and leave her quarters. The queen resided in a palace surrounded by towers and barricades, with guards maintaining a constant watch….”1(Ancient Japanese Empresses).
Empress Pimiko was an intelligent woman who brought trade and diplomatic relations between China and Japan. She accomplished this by sending envoys, gifts of slaves and bolts of special cloth to the Emperor of China. This was her way of showing respect to a neighbor and fellow ruler. The earliest empresses like Pimiko were probably also female shamans. “Shamans were thought to have supernatural powers acting as intermediaries between humans and gods. The Japanese word for shamans is Miko—literally divine woman. There is no Japanese word for a male shaman. This suggests that one source of these early female rulers’ power was their status as Miko.”1 (Ancient Japanese Empresses).
Empress Jingu
Long before the term "samurai" came into usage, Japanese fighters were skilled with the sword and spear. These warriors included some women, such as the legendary Empress Jingu (c. 169-269 CE), pictured here leading an invasion of Korea.
“A later empress, Jingū (or Jingō), who ruled in the 3rd century CE, became second only to the female god Amaterasu in the reverence shown her by the Japanese people.8 Her story is a combination of legend and fact but, even though sorting out fact from legend is difficult, a Japanese historian described her important place in Japanese history: “The Empress Jingū was our Joan of Arc. Fired by Divine inspiration; she displayed a military valor which was of incalculable service to her country in the crisis of its fortunes.”9”1 (Ancient Japanese Empresses).
“Accounts of Empress Jingū’s activities differ, but she seems to have become ruler upon the death of her husband, the Emperor Chūai. His death occurred after he refused to take her advice to invade Silla (now Korea). In autumn, Chūai summoned his generals for a war council to plan an attack on a group of rebels. “That night Jingū was visited by a dream, or she fell into a trance. A deity appeared to her and said, ‘Why should the emperor worry about the Kumaso [the rebels] not surrendering to him? The Kumaso have little to offer. It is not worth your while to raise an army against them. There is a better land called Silla, which lies on Mukatsu (the other side of the ocean). There you can find treasure in plenty, for Silla is a rich country full of marvelous things dazzling to the eye—gold, silver, and bright-colored jewels. . . . If you worship me with proper offerings, I shall see to it that Silla will yield. Your soldiers will not even have to draw their swords. Victory is yours. In return, I merely claim as offerings your husband's ship and the rice field which he has acquired from a chieftain of Anato.’ Chūai could not believe what he heard from his wife. He at first dismissed her story as a fanciful dream. But on second thought, he climbed to the top of a nearby hill to have a look. Even from that vantage point, he could see nothing in the great seas. He therefore concluded that if his wife really heard the voice of a god suggesting that she persuade him to give up his ship and the rice field, it must be a treacherous god.”10 Emperor Chūai’s expedition against the Kumaso was unsuccessful and soon after he died.”1(Ancient Japanese Empresses).
“For a while Jingū managed to keep his death a secret and put down revolts within the kingdom by acting in his name. Although she was pregnant with the future emperor, she put on men’s clothing and went into battle. Using her powers as a shaman she claimed to hear the will of god tell her that the Japanese should invade Silla. She said to her minister:
“To listen to the will of God, to move the people of war, is a matter of great concern to the country. From above, I shall receive the support of the spirits of the Gods of Heaven and Earth, while, below, I shall avail myself of the assistance of you, my ministers. Brandishing our weapons, we shall cross the towering billows: preparing a fleet of ships, we shall take possession of the Land of Treasure. If this expedition is successful, it will be due to you, my ministers; and, if not, I alone am to blame.”11
Empress Jingū’s expedition to Korea succeeded, but she faced revolts at home upon her return. With these rebellions subdued, it is said she ruled for seventy years, dying at the age of one hundred.”1(Ancient Japanese Empresses).
“There is no way of verifying the existence of a specific empress named Jingū, but it is thought that a matriarchal society existed in western Japan during this period. Chinese and Korean records, considered to be more accurate than contemporary Japanese accounts, refer to the Japanese country of WA as the Queen Country and place it in close contact with China and Korea.”3 (Jingu).
“A later empress, Jingū (or Jingō), who ruled in the 3rd century CE, became second only to the female god Amaterasu in the reverence shown her by the Japanese people.8 Her story is a combination of legend and fact but, even though sorting out fact from legend is difficult, a Japanese historian described her important place in Japanese history: “The Empress Jingū was our Joan of Arc. Fired by Divine inspiration; she displayed a military valor which was of incalculable service to her country in the crisis of its fortunes.”9”1 (Ancient Japanese Empresses).
“Accounts of Empress Jingū’s activities differ, but she seems to have become ruler upon the death of her husband, the Emperor Chūai. His death occurred after he refused to take her advice to invade Silla (now Korea). In autumn, Chūai summoned his generals for a war council to plan an attack on a group of rebels. “That night Jingū was visited by a dream, or she fell into a trance. A deity appeared to her and said, ‘Why should the emperor worry about the Kumaso [the rebels] not surrendering to him? The Kumaso have little to offer. It is not worth your while to raise an army against them. There is a better land called Silla, which lies on Mukatsu (the other side of the ocean). There you can find treasure in plenty, for Silla is a rich country full of marvelous things dazzling to the eye—gold, silver, and bright-colored jewels. . . . If you worship me with proper offerings, I shall see to it that Silla will yield. Your soldiers will not even have to draw their swords. Victory is yours. In return, I merely claim as offerings your husband's ship and the rice field which he has acquired from a chieftain of Anato.’ Chūai could not believe what he heard from his wife. He at first dismissed her story as a fanciful dream. But on second thought, he climbed to the top of a nearby hill to have a look. Even from that vantage point, he could see nothing in the great seas. He therefore concluded that if his wife really heard the voice of a god suggesting that she persuade him to give up his ship and the rice field, it must be a treacherous god.”10 Emperor Chūai’s expedition against the Kumaso was unsuccessful and soon after he died.”1(Ancient Japanese Empresses).
“For a while Jingū managed to keep his death a secret and put down revolts within the kingdom by acting in his name. Although she was pregnant with the future emperor, she put on men’s clothing and went into battle. Using her powers as a shaman she claimed to hear the will of god tell her that the Japanese should invade Silla. She said to her minister:
“To listen to the will of God, to move the people of war, is a matter of great concern to the country. From above, I shall receive the support of the spirits of the Gods of Heaven and Earth, while, below, I shall avail myself of the assistance of you, my ministers. Brandishing our weapons, we shall cross the towering billows: preparing a fleet of ships, we shall take possession of the Land of Treasure. If this expedition is successful, it will be due to you, my ministers; and, if not, I alone am to blame.”11
Empress Jingū’s expedition to Korea succeeded, but she faced revolts at home upon her return. With these rebellions subdued, it is said she ruled for seventy years, dying at the age of one hundred.”1(Ancient Japanese Empresses).
“There is no way of verifying the existence of a specific empress named Jingū, but it is thought that a matriarchal society existed in western Japan during this period. Chinese and Korean records, considered to be more accurate than contemporary Japanese accounts, refer to the Japanese country of WA as the Queen Country and place it in close contact with China and Korea.”3 (Jingu).
Samurai and Bushi Wives
“Up until the end of the Edo period, the wives of Samurai and bushi (warriors) were expected to be both domestics (mothers, heads of household, and teachers of children) during wartime when the men went out to battle, the women were to be the defenders of the children and the family property4. During the rampant bloody warfare of the Sengoku-Jidai period, the task of defending whole towns often fell to women. During this time, there are accounts “of the wives of warlords, dressed in flamboyant armor, leading bands of women armed with naginata” (a pole weapon with a curved blade on the end). Among their other martial duties, the task also fell to Samurai and bushi wives to clean and prepare the severed heads of enemies as presents for the victorious generals5.
These Samurai and bushi wives were required to carry kaiken (small daggers) at all times. These weapons were not typically used for defense, but were carried in case the need arose to perform jigai (ritual suicide which involved cutting their own throats open—hara-kiri being reserved for men). It was considered more honorable to perform jigai rather than be captured and become a victim of rape, which would bring dishonor to the family name5. In the rare instances when the kaiken was used in self-defense the woman would grasp the hilt with both hands, planting the butt of the hilt firmly against her stomach and rush forward, throwing all her bodyweight into the strike. If she had the element of surprise this maneuver would likely be fatal to her opponent5.
Bushi and Samurai wives were trained primarily in the use of the naginata for its versatility and usefulness in defending a castle from horsemen5. Women would typically be disadvantaged fighting against armed samurai at close quarters where men would have the advantage in weight and strength but the naginata allowed her to strike from a pole’s-length distance—a woman armed and trained to use a naginata could defeat all but the greatest of warriors5.
Though they were trained in martial arts, those wives that took to the battlefield were the exception—most women did not engage in combat4. But though traditionally perceived as delicate and feminine these women were far from powerless—they were pioneers, helping their clans to settle new territories. Some clans may have even been led by women seeing as they had the legal right to act as jito (stewards) of the land.”(Amdur).
These Samurai and bushi wives were required to carry kaiken (small daggers) at all times. These weapons were not typically used for defense, but were carried in case the need arose to perform jigai (ritual suicide which involved cutting their own throats open—hara-kiri being reserved for men). It was considered more honorable to perform jigai rather than be captured and become a victim of rape, which would bring dishonor to the family name5. In the rare instances when the kaiken was used in self-defense the woman would grasp the hilt with both hands, planting the butt of the hilt firmly against her stomach and rush forward, throwing all her bodyweight into the strike. If she had the element of surprise this maneuver would likely be fatal to her opponent5.
Bushi and Samurai wives were trained primarily in the use of the naginata for its versatility and usefulness in defending a castle from horsemen5. Women would typically be disadvantaged fighting against armed samurai at close quarters where men would have the advantage in weight and strength but the naginata allowed her to strike from a pole’s-length distance—a woman armed and trained to use a naginata could defeat all but the greatest of warriors5.
Though they were trained in martial arts, those wives that took to the battlefield were the exception—most women did not engage in combat4. But though traditionally perceived as delicate and feminine these women were far from powerless—they were pioneers, helping their clans to settle new territories. Some clans may have even been led by women seeing as they had the legal right to act as jito (stewards) of the land.”(Amdur).
Tomoe Gozen
“Tomoe Gozen [1] provides one of the few examples of a true woman warrior in early to early modern Japanese history, though some have questioned whether she truly lived, or was merely a fictional figure invented in the Heike Monogatari. While countless other women were at times forced to take up arms (in defense of their castle, for example), Tomoe is described as a consummate warrior.
Though scholarship for the most part concurs that Tomoe is most likely a purely fictional character, she is nevertheless described in some sources as the daughter of Nakahara no Kanetô (the husband of Minamoto no Yoshinaka's wet-nurse), and sister to Imai Kaneshiro, alongside whom she fights at the battle of Awazu.[2]” (Samurai-Archives).
Tomoe Gozen (Gozen is a title meaning "lady") was famous as a swordswoman, a skilled rider, and a superb archer. She was Minamoto's first captain, and took at least one enemy head during the Battle of Awazu in 1184.
“According to some sources, she was married to Kiso (Minamoto) Yoshinaka (though the Heike Monogatari describes her as a female attendant[3], and other sources describe her as a consort, or even a prostitute[2]), who rose against the Taira and in 1184 took Kyoto after winning the Battle of Kurikara. With the Taira forced into the western provinces, Yoshinaka began insinuating that it was he should carry the mantle of leadership of the Minamoto clan - a suggestion that prompted attacks by Minamoto no Yoritomo. Fleeing after a major defeat, Yoshinaka, along with Tomoe, faced warriors allied with Yoritomo at Awazu, a desperate fight in which Tomoe took at least one head, that of Onda Hachirô Moroshige.” (Samurai-Archives).
The Heike Monogatari describes Tomoe accordingly:
"...Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors."[4] (Samurai-Archives).
“The Heike Monogatari goes on to say that Tomoe was one of the last five of Yoshinaka's warriors standing at the tail end of the Battle of Awazu, and that Yoshinaka, knowing that death was near, urged her to flee. Though reluctant, she rushed a Minamoto warrior named Onda no Hachirô Moroshige, cut his head off, and then fled for the eastern provinces.
Some have written that Tomoe in fact died in battle with her husband, while others assert that she survived and became a nun. She is among the most popular and widely known female figures in Japanese history/legend, and appears as the lead in at least one kabuki play, Onna Shibaraku.”(Samurai-Archives).
Though scholarship for the most part concurs that Tomoe is most likely a purely fictional character, she is nevertheless described in some sources as the daughter of Nakahara no Kanetô (the husband of Minamoto no Yoshinaka's wet-nurse), and sister to Imai Kaneshiro, alongside whom she fights at the battle of Awazu.[2]” (Samurai-Archives).
Tomoe Gozen (Gozen is a title meaning "lady") was famous as a swordswoman, a skilled rider, and a superb archer. She was Minamoto's first captain, and took at least one enemy head during the Battle of Awazu in 1184.
“According to some sources, she was married to Kiso (Minamoto) Yoshinaka (though the Heike Monogatari describes her as a female attendant[3], and other sources describe her as a consort, or even a prostitute[2]), who rose against the Taira and in 1184 took Kyoto after winning the Battle of Kurikara. With the Taira forced into the western provinces, Yoshinaka began insinuating that it was he should carry the mantle of leadership of the Minamoto clan - a suggestion that prompted attacks by Minamoto no Yoritomo. Fleeing after a major defeat, Yoshinaka, along with Tomoe, faced warriors allied with Yoritomo at Awazu, a desperate fight in which Tomoe took at least one head, that of Onda Hachirô Moroshige.” (Samurai-Archives).
The Heike Monogatari describes Tomoe accordingly:
"...Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors."[4] (Samurai-Archives).
“The Heike Monogatari goes on to say that Tomoe was one of the last five of Yoshinaka's warriors standing at the tail end of the Battle of Awazu, and that Yoshinaka, knowing that death was near, urged her to flee. Though reluctant, she rushed a Minamoto warrior named Onda no Hachirô Moroshige, cut his head off, and then fled for the eastern provinces.
Some have written that Tomoe in fact died in battle with her husband, while others assert that she survived and became a nun. She is among the most popular and widely known female figures in Japanese history/legend, and appears as the lead in at least one kabuki play, Onna Shibaraku.”(Samurai-Archives).
The Women Warriors of Today
The Emperor's Warriors shows images of today's Japanese military, many are women. These are the women warriors of today.
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Reference
Ancient Japanese Empresses. (2005). In the Clio Project: Worldwide Women's History on the Web. Retrieved from http://www.clioproject.org/files/PDF/Japanese_Empresses_Lesson.pdf
Ancient Japanese Empresses. (2005). In the Clio Project: Worldwide Women's History on the Web. Retrieved from http://www.clioproject.org/node/100
Candide Media Works. (2003). Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pbs.org/empires/japan/tokaido_6.html
Jingu. (2014). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved fromhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/303999/Jingu
Onna-bugeisha. (2014, October 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:26, November 4, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Onna-bugeisha&oldid=630027013
Amdur, Ellis. “Women Warriors of Japan: The Role of the Arms-Bearing Women in Japanese History.” The Classical Martial Arts Resource. ed. Diane Skoss. 2002. 6 May 2006. <http://www.koryu.com/library/wwj1.html>.
Samurai-Archives (2005) Samurai-Archives: Tomoe Gozen. Retrieved from "http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Tomoe_Gozen&oldid=25528
Images & Media
Google. (2014). In Google, Search: Japanese Women Warriors. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=japanese+women+warriors&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=o2RBVLHGM_iLsQTr8oHIAg&ved=0CDIQsAQ
YouTube. (2014). YouTube. The Emperor's Warriors. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGkuIlQzViE.
Ancient Japanese Empresses. (2005). In the Clio Project: Worldwide Women's History on the Web. Retrieved from http://www.clioproject.org/files/PDF/Japanese_Empresses_Lesson.pdf
Ancient Japanese Empresses. (2005). In the Clio Project: Worldwide Women's History on the Web. Retrieved from http://www.clioproject.org/node/100
Candide Media Works. (2003). Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pbs.org/empires/japan/tokaido_6.html
Jingu. (2014). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved fromhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/303999/Jingu
Onna-bugeisha. (2014, October 17). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:26, November 4, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Onna-bugeisha&oldid=630027013
Amdur, Ellis. “Women Warriors of Japan: The Role of the Arms-Bearing Women in Japanese History.” The Classical Martial Arts Resource. ed. Diane Skoss. 2002. 6 May 2006. <http://www.koryu.com/library/wwj1.html>.
Samurai-Archives (2005) Samurai-Archives: Tomoe Gozen. Retrieved from "http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Tomoe_Gozen&oldid=25528
Images & Media
Google. (2014). In Google, Search: Japanese Women Warriors. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?q=japanese+women+warriors&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=o2RBVLHGM_iLsQTr8oHIAg&ved=0CDIQsAQ
YouTube. (2014). YouTube. The Emperor's Warriors. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGkuIlQzViE.