Female Samurai Tomoe Gozen is the most celebrated woman warrior in Japanese history. She waded into battles, left several severed heads in her wake, and inspired countless manga series in centuries to come. Below are some fascinating facts about the fascinating – and fearsome – Tomoe Gozen.
The Female Samurai
Tomoe Gozen (circa 1157 – 1247) is perhaps Japan’s most famous female samurai, or onna-bogueisha. A formidable warrior, she was famous for her courage, physical strength, and skill with a variety of weapons. She put those assets to good use on the battlefield, as she fought in the Japanese civil war that led to the creation of that country’s first shogun (military dictator) government – the political system that would govern Japan from the 1180s until 1868.
It was not unusual for women in Japan to receive military training, and for centuries, women of the samurai class were taught swordsmanship, archery, and the use of pole arms. It was defensive training, however, to enable the women to protect themselves and their households in the absence of their menfolk. There was never an intention that women be trained to engage in combat as warriors alongside men outside the home.
A Fearsome Warrior
Tomoe however wanted to test her mettle and training in battle, so she sought an active career as a warrior. She was eventually accepted into the service of a general named Minamoto Yoshinaka. As described by contemporaries: ” 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.“
By 1184, Tomoe had become famous because of her fighting skill and exploits. Her greatest exploit came that year, at the battle of Awazu, when she was part of a small force of 300 samurai that was set upon by a far bigger army of around 6000. She fought with extreme courage and skill against overwhelming odds, but eventually, Tomoe’s force was whittled down from 300 to only Tomoe, her commanding general, Yoshinaka, and five other warriors. With the end drawing near, Yoshinaka ordered her to leave the battlefield, as it would be shameful for him to die alongside a woman. Reluctantly, she obeyed, beheading one more enemy warrior on her way out. Thereafter, she fades from history.
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Some Sources & Further Reading
Ancient Origins – Tomoe Gozen: A Fearsome Japanese Female Samurai of the 12th Century
History Halls – Fighting Women: Empress Matilda
Tofugu – Tomoe Gozen: A Warrior Worth a Thousand Men
