Female Samurai: Japan’s Powerful but Forgotten (And Erased) Female Warriors
There were plenty of badass ladies fighting alongside male samurai
When we think of samurai, the image that first comes to mind is usually that of a brave and noble warrior — a man. But what about the women who were also part of this warrior class?
For centuries, the female samurai, or onna-bugeisha, have been an integral part of Japanese society. These powerful women were skilled in the art of war and often fought alongside the male samurai in times of conflict.
In a country that is primarily known for its male-dominated history, the onna-bugeisha offer a fascinating glimpse into the roles women played in Japan’s past.
In this article, we will take a look at the onna-bugeisha, the female samurai of Japan.
The Origins of the Female Samurai
The onna-bugeisha (女武芸者), literally “female martial person”, were a class of noblewomen and members of the warrior class (bushi, 武士) in feudal Japan. They were trained in both traditional household arts and self-defense and fought alongside samurai men.
During Japan’s feudal period, many samurai families found themselves in need of extra protection. As a result…
