Watching the Smithsonian program, “Samurai Warrior Queens,” I found myself, again, marveling at how anonymous the historians (?mostly male) kept women’s contributions — anonymous. I am reading the kokinshū for the sequel to Pillow Book of the Flower Samurai, which I am currently calling The Samurai’s Daughter. The kokinshū is a massive Imperial collection of poetry from the early 10th century. And the translators/authors of this fabulous book speak of this very thing. The anonymity of women and their contributions. In the kokinshū many of the poems’… Continue reading →
Category Archives: Japanese weapons
The Bow and Arrow: Another Weapon Also Used by Women
The bow and arrow provided the majority of weaponry in Heian and early Kamakura Japan. the predominance of the sword did not actually come “into” use, although it was used, until later. The actual ascendancy of the bow and arrow began during the wars before and the Genpei War. Shooting the bow and arrow became, like most of the arts in Japan, an elaborate and systematic process which required much practice. There are actually eight named stages of shooting an arrow: 1.ASHIBUMI (footing) 2. DOZUKURI… Continue reading →
Women’s Weapons: The Naginata
Between the 12th and approximately the 15th centuries women defended themselves, their families and their homes. They concealed daggers in their sleeves or sashes and delivered their deadly blades with great accuracy. Women also used the naginata, which is a pole having a long, curved sword at the top. For an ambush, women swung naginata in narrowed places, cutting the legs of horses to disable the enemy soldiers. Sometimes women fought alongside their husbands in battle. And they were expected to commit seppuku (ritual suicide)… Continue reading →
Real Female Samurai
WERE THERE REAL SAMURAI? * * * The answer is YES! Definitely yes. Was Kozaishō a real samurai? She did really exist. She was the wife of the commander-in-chief Taira no Michimori, and according to Tale of the Heike, she was at the battle of Ichinotani. However, also with reference to the Tale of the Heike, she probably was nota samurai, but she could have been. * * * The first strong evidence of a real warrior woman is Empress Jingu who was married to… Continue reading →
The Infamous Samurai Sword
What’s faster than a speeding bullet? Well, what’s faster than a speeding BB? Yes! The Japanese sword and this incredible artist. Take a look at this video and see how astounding this is: Real Samurai Sword Technique – by Isao Machii – Japanese Katana Kenjutsu The Japanese sword is quite frankly—perfection. And it was in the Heian period that it became so. Japanese iron ore is different than everywhere else. The steel and the method of forging combined… Continue reading →