When most people hear the word “samurai,” they imagine male warriors in armor. However, throughout Japanese history there were also highly trained women of the warrior class who took up arms to defend their families, domains, and honor. These women are often called onna-bugeisha or onna-musha — female warriors of the bushi (samurai) class.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
This article offers an accessible introduction for international readers to the world of samurai women: who they were, how they trained, which weapons they used, and how their spirit lives on today in martial arts, culture, and travel experiences in Tokyo.
Who Were the Onna-Bugeisha?
Onna-bugeisha were women born into warrior families who received martial training. Their primary duty was often to protect the household, castle, or community when male warriors were away at war, but some also fought on the front lines and even led troops.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
In peacetime, these women were expected to fulfill roles as wives, mothers, and managers of the household. In times of danger, they were prepared to become fighters and commanders.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Defense of the home and domain: guarding castles, forts, and estates while male samurai were away.
- Martial training: learning weapons such as the naginata, bow, and dagger for close defense.
- Leadership in crisis: some women directed defenses or inspired troops during sieges and invasions.
In many warrior households, teaching daughters martial arts was seen as an extension of the family’s duty to protect its people and maintain its honor.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Weapons and Training of Samurai Women
Female warriors did not all use the same weapon. Their training was shaped by practical needs: defending doorways and hallways, fighting from castle walls, or protecting children and elders in confined spaces. Over time, several weapons became closely associated with samurai women.
The Naginata: Symbol of the Warrior Woman
The naginata is a pole weapon with a curved blade mounted on a long shaft. Because of its reach and cutting power, it allowed women to keep distance from attackers and compensate for differences in body size and strength.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Effective against mounted opponents and armored warriors
- Useful in both open ground and at gates or stairways
- Became a common weapon for women of samurai households during the Edo period
Over time, naginata techniques were adapted from battlefield use to indoor self-defense. In modern Japan, atarashii naginata (“modern naginata”) is a codified martial art, and it is still strongly associated with women practitioners.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Archery: Defending from a Distance
For defending castles and fortified homes, the bow was an essential tool. Women could fire from walls, towers, or upper floors, disrupting attackers before they reached the main gate. Historical sources describe women participating in sieges and battles as archers, sometimes fighting alongside male samurai.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Dagger and Close-Quarters Defense
When enemies breached the outer defenses, close-quarter combat became unavoidable. For this reason, many samurai women learned:
- Tantō (dagger) techniques for last-resort self-defense
- Grappling and joint locks to escape holds or restrain intruders
- Short weapon use in narrow corridors and rooms
These skills were not always recorded in detail, but they formed an important, practical layer of household defense.
Famous Women Warriors in Japanese History
Many names of onna-bugeisha have been lost, but a few figures stand out in chronicles, war tales, and later retellings.
Tomoe Gozen: Legend of the Genpei War
Tomoe Gozen is perhaps the most famous warrior woman in Japanese lore. She appears in the medieval war tale The Tale of the Heike as a skilled archer and swordswoman who fought in the late 12th-century Genpei War.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Some modern historians point out that solid primary evidence for Tomoe’s life is limited, and she may be partly legendary. However, regardless of the exact historical details, Tomoe Gozen has come to symbolize the ideal of the fearless female warrior in Japanese culture.
Hangaku Gozen: Defender in the Jokyu War
Hangaku Gozen, another female warrior mentioned in medieval sources, is described as leading troops and fighting with bow and spear during uprisings in the early 13th century. Her image frequently appears in Edo-period woodblock prints, reinforcing her status as a symbol of female bravery.:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Hojo Masako: Political Power and “Nun Shogun”
Hojo Masako is often called the “nun shogun.” After the death of her husband, the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, she became a central political figure, helping to maintain warrior rule and navigate crises in the early Kamakura shogunate. While she is not mainly known for fighting in armor, her leadership and resolve made her one of the most influential women in samurai history.:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Tachibana Ginchiyo: Female Daimyo of Kyushu
Tachibana Ginchiyo (1569–1602) inherited leadership of the Tachibana clan in Kyushu at a young age. Sources describe her as a formidable leader who prepared her retainers for war and helped defend her domain against rival clans. She is one of the rare documented cases of a woman formally recognized as head of a samurai clan.:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Countless Unnamed Women
Beyond these well-known figures, chronicles and local histories mention many unnamed or lesser-known women who fought to defend their homes and communities. In some sieges, women are recorded firing arrows, throwing stones, or wielding spears from the castle walls alongside male defenders.:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Women, Martial Arts, and the Edo Period
During the long peace of the Edo period (1603–1868), large-scale warfare declined, but martial values did not disappear. For the warrior class, training shifted toward discipline, etiquette, and self-cultivation.
Naginata in Girls’ Education
In many samurai families, daughters were encouraged (or required) to learn the naginata. Documents and later analyses describe naginata practice as a way to:
- Prepare women to defend the household in emergencies
- Develop physical strength and endurance
- Instill patience, attention to detail, and emotional control
Some educators even argued that naginata training would help women become more capable in daily tasks such as caring for family members and running a household, combining martial spirit with traditional expectations.:contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
From Battlefield Skill to Cultural Refinement
For many women, martial practice became less about actual combat and more about cultivating character. Just as tea ceremony and calligraphy refined sensitivity and awareness, naginata and other arts trained the body and will.
Modern Legacy of Samurai Women
Modern Naginata as a Martial Art
Today, naginata is practiced as a modern budo (martial way). Practitioners—many of them women—wear protective gear and use bamboo or wooden weapons in matches and demonstrations. It preserves elements of classical naginata while functioning as a sport and a path of self-discipline.:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Onna-Bugeisha in Popular Culture
Female warriors now appear frequently in anime, manga, films, and games set in historical or fantasy versions of Japan. These characters often draw inspiration—directly or indirectly—from figures like Tomoe Gozen and Tachibana Ginchiyo, helping to introduce the idea of onna-bugeisha to a global audience.:contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Women in TATE and Stage Combat
In today’s Japan, many women participate in TATE (samurai stage combat choreography), wielding swords on stage or in film and live performances. They learn not only how to move safely with a weapon, but also how to express strength, grace, and emotion—qualities that resonate strongly with the legacy of samurai women.
Experiencing the Spirit of Samurai Women in Tokyo
Travelers to Tokyo can explore the legacy of onna-bugeisha not only through books and museums, but also through hands-on experiences that reflect their courage and discipline.
Samurai Experience in Harajuku (Inclusive for Women)
In central Tokyo, you can train with professional samurai performers at SAMURAI EXPERIENCE in Harajuku. This program, run by experienced sword artists, is open to all genders and welcomes solo travelers, couples, and families.:contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Typical sessions include:
- Wearing kimono and hakama inspired by samurai clothing
- Learning how to handle a katana safely
- Practicing basic cuts and stances
- Trying simple TATE choreography yourself under careful guidance
For many female participants, the highlight is actually stepping into the role of a warrior—moving with confidence, standing tall, and experiencing the physical expression of inner strength.
Traditional Arts That Share the Same Spirit
Beyond sword training, several traditional arts in Tokyo echo the discipline and awareness associated with samurai women:
- Calligraphy (shodō): focusing the mind through brush and ink
- Tea ceremony (sado): cultivating calmness, precision, and hospitality
- Kimono dressing: learning how clothing affects posture and movement
Places such as HiSUi TOKYO in Ginza offer multi-art experiences that combine sword basics with tea ceremony and calligraphy, making them excellent options for travelers who want to explore both the martial and refined sides of Japanese culture.:contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Conclusion: Onna-Bugeisha as a Second Pillar of Samurai Culture
Samurai women were not simply background figures in a male-dominated world. As onna-bugeisha, they defended homes and castles, shaped political outcomes, and passed on values of courage, perseverance, and responsibility.
By learning about their stories—Tomoe Gozen’s legendary exploits, Tachibana Ginchiyo’s leadership, Hojo Masako’s political power—and by joining modern experiences such as samurai sword lessons and traditional arts workshops in Tokyo, travelers can connect with the deeper, often overlooked half of samurai history.
The legacy of onna-bugeisha lives on wherever people train body and mind to protect what they care about, act with dignity, and face hardship with quiet strength.
