The Samurai Women

The traditional image of the Japanese warrior class that ruled Japan for nearly seven centuries usually depicts male characteristics. We often imagine them wearing heavy armor and holding a sword, with no female presence in mind. However, it is worth noting that there were indeed female samurai warriors, who belonged to the bushi class and were known as Onna-Bugeisha

The Onna-Bugeisha were a group of highly skilled female warriors that existed in Japanese pre-modern feudal history. They even fought alongside male samurai in righteous battles and were typically the last line of defense at their home castle. The term can be split into two parts: onna, which means ‘woman,’ and bugeisha, which roughly translates to ‘warrior’. In other words, Onna-Bugeisha refers to a woman warrior who was both a noble and a warrior.

Throughout Japan’s history, there have been many great rulers and armies made up of men from various walks of life. Unfortunately, the term of “samurai” is masculine, hence women cannot be considered samurai. Regardless, the history of Japan has provided us with few instances of powerful women

Empress Jingū

Empress Jingū is a legendary figure among Japanese woman warriors. She was highly adored as a living goddess and a formidable conqueror of the Korean kingdoms. Around to 200 AD, she began her rule after her husband Emperor Chūai passed away. Despite the traditional belief that women were second to men and limited to domestic roles, she defied convention and made history.

She led a conquest of Korea while pregnant with her son, the future emperor Ojin, and demonstrated that women were equally capable of making strategic military decisions and leading troops to victory.

Her amazing accomplishments have been the focus of several stories, paintings, and sculptures throughout Japanese history. Empress Jingū paving the way for future generations of women to follow in her footsteps, making her an everlasting symbol of power, courage, and leadership.

Tomoe Gozen

Throughout history, there have been many legendary samurai women, including Yodo-dono and Niijima Yae. Few are as well-known as Tomoe Gozen. She was described for her beauty, intelligence, and combat skills. She was highly proficient in sword fighting, archery, horseback riding, and politics. Her combat skills were considered equal to the greatest samurai of her time.

The master of the Minamoto clan hailed her as Japan’s first true general.

Tomoe Gozen is a cultural phenomenon; during the Genpei War, she led men into fierce battles and even commanded a small group of 300 male samurais against a much larger force of 2,000 Taira warriors, yet she emerged triumphant. She was an inspiration and a symbol of the strength of the female samurai warriors.

Her influence allowed Japanese women to gain a higher status in the household, and they were allowed to control finances, maintain their homes, manage servants, and raise their children with proper samurai upbringing.

Hōjō Masako

Hōjō Masako was the wife of the first shogun, a military commander during the Kamakura era from 1185 to 1333. Masako became regent after her husband passed away, making her the first Onna-Bugeisha to gain prominence in politics. She even became a Buddhist nun, earning the nickname of “Ama Shogun” or a “Nun Shogun”. Although she was regarded for intelligence and talent, she was also tough, critical, and sometimes mean in her political dealings.

Masako played a vital role in shaping the careers of her two sons, Minamoto no Yoriie and Minamoto no Sanetomo, who became the second and third shogun, respectively. Masako’s leadership as “ama-shōgun” (“nun shōgun”), led to equal rights for women in the shōgun’s court.

Cultural Changing and Legacy of the Onna-Bugeisha

During the Edo or Tokugawa period in Japan, the role and status of the Onna-Bugeisha underwent significant changes. In this period, Onna-Bugeisha were usually wives or daughters of noblemen, generals, and warlords. The men who were once samurai now were simple bureaucrats in the hierarchy of the Empire and their female family members suffered heavy restrictions.

The legacy of the female samurai, Onna-Bugeisha, is a complex one. In the history of Japan, they fought tirelessly to protect their homes and families, making them some of the most admirable individuals in Japanese history.

Unfortunately, the rest of the world often portrayed Japanese women as submissive and subservient, wearing kimonos and tightly bound obi, effectively burying the legendary legacy of the Onna-bugeisha in the pages of history.

Onna-Bugeisha with their tales can inspire and lead a new generation of women to be just as courageous and powerful as they were.