Samurai families, it was tradition that women receive training in martial arts and war strategies, so that they could defend their families when he wasn't present. Known as onna-bugeishas, they participated in battles alongside men and fought using the naginatas (Spears with a curved blade on the tip). The bow and arrow was also a gun a lot used by the women-warriors. Despite warlike abilities, they dressed with luxurious fine silk kimonos and were always wearing make-up, with impeccable hair, demonstrating special care in the preservation of her femininity.
he historical texts contain few references to these warriors, but they have been more numerous than people think. Analyses on the location where the battle of Senbon Matsubaru, in the year 1580, showed that of the 105 bodies found, 35 were women. Tomoe Gozen was one of the most famous warriors whose history was recorded. She was the wife of deMinamoto Yoshinaka Minamoto clan. Born in 1157 in a samurai family, she was trained to handle the naginata and protect the family. Fought in the Genpei War (1180-1185), a dispute that lasted 5 years between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan.
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This is very interesting, I would really like to learn more about these women. Maybe you could add the original Japanese words so that people who are studying Japanese can learn more.
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