Kent Ninomiya. Rachel from Hawaii wrote to ask about women samurai. She wants to know if women actually fought in samurai battles. I found excellent information on this at the women in world history web site. They write: In the early feudal period, samurai women were expected to exhibit loyalty, bravery, and take on the duty of revenge. As her warrior husband was often absent, the samurai wife also had important duties at home. Her responsibility was the food and all the household supplies. She oversaw the harvesting of crops, managed all the servants, and took over all financial business in terms of disorder. In matters which concerned the well-being of the family, her advice was sought and her opinions respected. On her, too, fell the burden of providing the proper education of her children. She was to instill in them a strong sense of loyalty to the samurai ideals of courage and physical strength.
In wartime women sometimes had to defend their homes. Trained in weaponry, women carried a dagger in their sleeves or sashes and could throw with deadly aim. The naginata, a long, curved sword, was considered the weapon most suitable for women. Japanese girls today continue the ancient art of naginatajutsu as they learn how to wield the naginata.
Sometimes women joined men in battle, actually fighting along side them or encouraging the troops. And, like their husbands, women were expected to commit suicide if the family was dishonored in any way. Some women used suicide as a form of protest against injustice, as in the case of one woman who killed herself when her husband mistreated her.
An example of the continuing power of women in the early feudal period is Hojo Masa-ko. This strong-willed woman seized the reins of the shogunate after her husband, the first shogun Yoritomo Minamoto, died in 1199. She quickly maneuvered her own family, the Hojo clan, into a regency over her son Yoriie. In her old age it was she who galvanized the shogunate army which crushed the forces of the Emperor Go-Toba in 1221. The Hojos remained as regents over all the successive Minamoto shoguns for the next century and a half. For this reason Hojo Masa-ko, known as "Mother Shogun," has been referred to as the founder of the shogunate.
In wartime women sometimes had to defend their homes. Trained in weaponry, women carried a dagger in their sleeves or sashes and could throw with deadly aim. The naginata, a long, curved sword, was considered the weapon most suitable for women. Japanese girls today continue the ancient art of naginatajutsu as they learn how to wield the naginata.
Sometimes women joined men in battle, actually fighting along side them or encouraging the troops. And, like their husbands, women were expected to commit suicide if the family was dishonored in any way. Some women used suicide as a form of protest against injustice, as in the case of one woman who killed herself when her husband mistreated her.
An example of the continuing power of women in the early feudal period is Hojo Masa-ko. This strong-willed woman seized the reins of the shogunate after her husband, the first shogun Yoritomo Minamoto, died in 1199. She quickly maneuvered her own family, the Hojo clan, into a regency over her son Yoriie. In her old age it was she who galvanized the shogunate army which crushed the forces of the Emperor Go-Toba in 1221. The Hojos remained as regents over all the successive Minamoto shoguns for the next century and a half. For this reason Hojo Masa-ko, known as "Mother Shogun," has been referred to as the founder of the shogunate.
Women have always had an impact on history and samurai women are no exception. Kent Ninomiya
7 comments:
"The naginata, a long, curved sword, was considered the weapon most suitable for women." the naginata is actually a spear like weapon.
and is this really true? sounds like romantization to me ~~
the fact that japanese society is still very man-dominated probably means they had it even worse before too.
If this is true I am unaware of it. The naginata was a heavy defensive weapon. It was used by samurai attempting to hold a position and fend off advancing troops. I doubt very much that these would be women. If you have information to the contrary I would be eager to hear it. Thanks for your comment.
Yeah, I doubt that too. is the women in world history web site, a realiable source then? I find it hard to believe women at that time period held so much power, or would be used as naginata samurai troops ~~
I don't know about the world history web site but I do know a fair amount about samurai. Women did not fight as troops in large numbers in feudal Japan much less train widely with the naginata. Heavily armored warriors used the naginata to hold a position against heavy troops and cavalry. This does not sound like fighting women in feudal Japan would do. If anyone knows more about this I would love to hear it.
The naginata was a spear-like weapon, and the naginata is to this day considered a standard weapon for women in Japan (while women do practice kendo, the naginata classes are filled by women). The naginata has been considered a woman's weapon since a particular incident when women held a castle against a siege, and the naginata was their primary weapon.
Miyako Tanaka might have some historical info for you on the naginata. She is in her sixties and still teaches women's naginata classes in El Cerrito, CA.
The term "naginata" refers not to the entire weapon, but to the extended version of the katana which can be mounted as a polearm in various forms or wielded as a two-handed katana. As for its usage; it was employed most famously by the Sohei (warrior monks) of mount Hiei in a style requiring great stamina and conditioning. As a polearm, its popularity with woman warriors would most likely be that the length and versatility of a polearm allows the wielder to avoid close combat and grappling where strength can be a great advantage.
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