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**MAKEMONEY** · 05-08-2006, 07:00 AM

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0312/feature5/

Article from the National Geographic:

Samurai Women
The samurai class did not consist solely of men, of course. Though frequently overlooked in history books, women had an important role during the samurai period, particularly in the early days. Samurai wives took on the responsibilities of running the households during times of war, overseeing the crops, servants, and finances. Trained in martial arts and skilled in the use of the naginata, a type of lance, many samurai women defended their homes when under attack. Sometimes they even fought alongside the men in battle. One of the most famous female warriors was Tomoe Gozen, wife of Minamoto Yoshinaka. She fought bravely against the Taira clan during the Gempei War (1180-85) and was hailed as a gifted archer and swordswoman.

—Karen Font
http://www.gendergap.com/military/Warriors-1.htm

Like their noble European counterparts Japanese women of the samurai caste were expected to protect their family's lands and castles when their male relatives were absent. They were trained in the use of weapons, especially the naginata and knife and taught to train and ride warhorses. In the Kamakura period (1192-1333) clan warfare was so widespread that women frequently took to the battlefield. Itagaki led a charge of 3,000 warriors of the Taira clan against 10,000 Heike soldiers in 1199. In the 12th century Fujinoye, wife of Kajiwara Genda Kagesuya defended Takadachi Castle killing at least two of the attackers in hand to hand combat. Kogo Jingo, Empress of Japan was skilled with sword, bow and naginata. She conquered Korea in 201 AD, personally leading her navy who she prohibited from raping or plundering when they took cities. She governed for 70 years and was succeeded by her son Emperor Ojin. Among the tributes she brought back from her conquests was Japan's first written language. And a whole bunch of yes and no's here:

http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/que...ay.html?0+7443

This line was interesting tho'

Basically the number one rule of Japanese fiction is "If you make the character a chick, more people will buy it!" http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art24550.asp

Almost always eliminated from popular knowledge of warriors in ancient Japan, is the role women played as wives of the samurai or warriors in their own right. The primary role of women of the samurai class had been to support the family and their husbands. During the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), women were responsible for raising their children with the proper samurai upbringing. The women of this period were allowed rights to inheritance and to bequeath property. They controlled the household finances, and managed the staff. Women were also expected to defend their homes in times of war. This period in Japanese history produced some of the most famous women: Tomoe Gozen, wife of Minamoto Yoshinaka and a fierce warrior very proficient with sword and bow; and Hojo Masako (1157-1225), wife of Minamoto Yoritomo and known as the "nun shogun". In keeping with customs of the time, Hojo Masako became a Buddhist nun upon the death of her husband in 1199. After Yoritomo's death, Hojo Masako along with her father and son, usurped the real ruling power from her dead husband's ruling Minamoto clan to her own Hojo clan. Her efforts gave the Hojo clan true power over the now 'puppet regime' Minamoto clan. http://www2.una.edu/Takeuchi/DrT_Jpn...le_samurai.htm

DID "FEMALE SAMURAI "ACTUALLY EXIST IN MEDIEVAL JAPAN?*

S. Alexander Takeuchi, Ph.D.

Department of Sociology

University of North Alabama

March 30, 2004

3. Were there any “female warriors” in the Japanese history who were also members of the privileged social category of buke and who fought the war as did male warriors?

Yes, there were several. As most already know, Tomoe-gozen, the wife of late Kiso Yoshinaka, was a prime example of such women

There are lots of sources on the web. But I would take note and then fact check. Go to a library or source from credible websites or ask an authority(like a lecturer on the subject or a university) on the subject.

more sites here:

http://www.google.com/search?num=50&...an&sitesearch=

right...now off you go and write that book!

05-08-2006, 07:00 AM	#11
MAKEMONEY Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 396 Senior Member	http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0312/feature5/ Article from the National Geographic: Samurai Women The samurai class did not consist solely of men, of course. Though frequently overlooked in history books, women had an important role during the samurai period, particularly in the early days. Samurai wives took on the responsibilities of running the households during times of war, overseeing the crops, servants, and finances. Trained in martial arts and skilled in the use of the naginata, a type of lance, many samurai women defended their homes when under attack. Sometimes they even fought alongside the men in battle. One of the most famous female warriors was Tomoe Gozen, wife of Minamoto Yoshinaka. She fought bravely against the Taira clan during the Gempei War (1180-85) and was hailed as a gifted archer and swordswoman. —Karen Font http://www.gendergap.com/military/Warriors-1.htm Like their noble European counterparts Japanese women of the samurai caste were expected to protect their family's lands and castles when their male relatives were absent. They were trained in the use of weapons, especially the naginata and knife and taught to train and ride warhorses. In the Kamakura period (1192-1333) clan warfare was so widespread that women frequently took to the battlefield. Itagaki led a charge of 3,000 warriors of the Taira clan against 10,000 Heike soldiers in 1199. In the 12th century Fujinoye, wife of Kajiwara Genda Kagesuya defended Takadachi Castle killing at least two of the attackers in hand to hand combat. Kogo Jingo, Empress of Japan was skilled with sword, bow and naginata. She conquered Korea in 201 AD, personally leading her navy who she prohibited from raping or plundering when they took cities. She governed for 70 years and was succeeded by her son Emperor Ojin. Among the tributes she brought back from her conquests was Japan's first written language. And a whole bunch of yes and no's here: http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/que...ay.html?0+7443 This line was interesting tho' Basically the number one rule of Japanese fiction is "If you make the character a chick, more people will buy it!" http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art24550.asp Almost always eliminated from popular knowledge of warriors in ancient Japan, is the role women played as wives of the samurai or warriors in their own right. The primary role of women of the samurai class had been to support the family and their husbands. During the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), women were responsible for raising their children with the proper samurai upbringing. The women of this period were allowed rights to inheritance and to bequeath property. They controlled the household finances, and managed the staff. Women were also expected to defend their homes in times of war. This period in Japanese history produced some of the most famous women: Tomoe Gozen, wife of Minamoto Yoshinaka and a fierce warrior very proficient with sword and bow; and Hojo Masako (1157-1225), wife of Minamoto Yoritomo and known as the "nun shogun". In keeping with customs of the time, Hojo Masako became a Buddhist nun upon the death of her husband in 1199. After Yoritomo's death, Hojo Masako along with her father and son, usurped the real ruling power from her dead husband's ruling Minamoto clan to her own Hojo clan. Her efforts gave the Hojo clan true power over the now 'puppet regime' Minamoto clan. http://www2.una.edu/Takeuchi/DrT_Jpn...le_samurai.htm DID "FEMALE SAMURAI "ACTUALLY EXIST IN MEDIEVAL JAPAN?* S. Alexander Takeuchi, Ph.D. Department of Sociology University of North Alabama March 30, 2004 3. Were there any “female warriors” in the Japanese history who were also members of the privileged social category of buke and who fought the war as did male warriors? Yes, there were several. As most already know, Tomoe-gozen, the wife of late Kiso Yoshinaka, was a prime example of such women There are lots of sources on the web. But I would take note and then fact check. Go to a library or source from credible websites or ask an authority(like a lecturer on the subject or a university) on the subject. more sites here: http://www.google.com/search?num=50&...an&sitesearch= right...now off you go and write that book!
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