The Famous Samurai Women in Ancient Japanese Culture

2 inspiring stories on Samurai Women in Ancient Japanese Culture.
The most amazing facts about Japan female warriors. The surprising, unknown stories, about the culture of Japan.

Don't forget to look at the History of the Samurai Gallery. All of the photos there are links to more pages about the Samurai culture.

Can you believe it?
Samurai women in Ancient Japanese culture?

Like everyone else I had an image (made in Hollywood) of the delicate Japanese women in these times.
I was surprised to learn some unusual facts about Japan.

Of course the main role of women at that time in Japan had been to raise a family and support their husbands.
But since these women lived in an unusual time, they received a good training in the use of the the Japanese Samurai swords and in martial arts.

Even today Japanese women are mostly in the background when it comes to participating in the male-dominated work scene of Japan.

That was why I was so surprised to find out these are not just legends. These female samurai were documented in Japanese Art, paintings and in the Kabuki Theater.

Many women at the time knew how to use the Antique Samurai sword!!

Apparently they had to defend themselves and their children in case their home was captured by the enemy.
Samurai women were expected to fight till the end and die with honor, just like the men.

These women also served as Ninja Samurai – going into enemy castles as dancers or servants. They were very successful since nobody suspected them.

The History Of Female Samurai

The new emperor Meiji was only 16 years old, but he set Japan on a course of modernization that would transform the Ancient Japanese Culture from a feudal society to an industrialized nation in only a few years.

You can learn a lot about that time in the history of Japan from 'The Last Samurai' movie. The movie focuses on the rebellion of the Japanese warriors, who were devoted to the Samurai culture and rejected the Westernized policy and use of guns.

The Shogun forces surrendered Edo (Tokyo) in May 1868, but they still were in power in the north of Japan.

Nakano Takeko was one of the legendary Samurai women. She was the daughter of an Aizu district official.

Aizu women were taught the same values as any Samurai Japanese warrior. They were taught to protect themselves, their family and their daimyo - feudal lord.

She was brave and skillful as any Japanese warrior. She was very good with ancient Japanese samurai swords.

She was also considered a very skilled rider.

During the Battle of Aizu, Nakano Takeko led the female Samurai against the Emperor's forces. During the fighting she entered enemy lines and killed many warriors.

According to the Bushido code of the Samurai surrender is unthinkable. That’s why when she was shot in the chest, her sister Yuko cut Nakano's head off, as they had previously agreed on.

After a month-long battle, the Aizu region surrendered. The Japanese warriors were sent to prison.

Yamakawa Futaba was the daughter and the wife of Shogun officials in Aizu. She was trained to fight.

She participated in the defense of Tsuruga Castle against the Emperor's forces. When the battle was lost, many of the warriors committed seppuku – the famous Ritual of suicide.

Yamakawa Futaba survived, and became a leader and public speaker on the subject of education for women in Japan.

The feudal system was eliminated. By initiating a compulsory military service the warriors were left without a position for the first time in the Ancient Japanese Culture.

Unfortunately these outstanding heroic women were largely forgotten. I hope the passive image of these brave Samurai women will change.

Return from Samurai women to History of the Samurai for lots more exciting stories about Samurai culture. Browse the History of the Samurai Gallery for pages about Samurai Weapons and swords, Clothing and Japanese Samurai Armor.

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