WERE THERE REAL SAMURAI?
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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.
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The first strong evidence of a real warrior woman is Empress Jingu who was married to the fourteenth emperor of Japan, Chuai. He reigned between 192 and 200. After his death, she ruled as a regent for her young son. To pass the time, so it is said, she invaded and conquered Korea.
Empress Jingu
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Hangaku Gozen, also known as Itagaki joined in the Kennin Uprising of 1201, which tried to overthrow the new Kamakura Shogunate. She created an army and led this force but surrendered after she was wounded by an arrow. She was captured and taken to the shogun as a prisoner to the shogun who might have ordered her to commit seppuku. However,a Minamoto soldier fell in love with her, and he was given permission to marry her instead.
She had at least one daughter.
Hangaku by Yoshitoshi Taiso 1885
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There are more real female samurai (19th and 20th centuries) but I’ll save them for next time. However, if you take a look at the YouTube below, you can see a real swordswoman in action:
Modern Female Samurai