illustrates Andre Toma
edition Felipe van Deursen
Yes, but they were known by other names. onna-musha for the samurai and kunoichi for the ninjas. To the onna-musha they mastered weapons and martial arts and protected their families in the absence of their husbands. already the kunoichi (which means something like «nine plus one», in reference to the body’s orifices – the «plus one» is the vagina) had other functions. “The name identified women with espionage skills”, explains Roberto Corrêa de André, founder of the Sankai Institute of Oriental Traditions, in São Paulo. “Many mastered techniques of poisoning, disguise, camouflage, blades and occult weapons, in addition to knowledge related to natural medicine and pharmacology”, he says. See below one kunoichi it’s two onna-musha that entered the history of Japan.
bad ass japanese
The greatest ninjas and samurai in the country
Mochizuki Chiyome (15th century – 1573)
The best-known ninja in Japanese history. When she became a widow, she created an agency that trained girls to become kunoichi. At school, girls learned to master knives, swords, spears and martial arts.
Tomoe Gozen (1157-1184)
One of the best known warriors of Feudal Japan. She participated in several wars, such as the Genpei, which established the country’s first shogunate. The shoguns, feudal lords, would rule Japan until the 19th century
Hojo Masako (1156-1225)
Most important woman in the military history of Feudal Japan. She married the first shogun (feudal lord) and became regent when he died. In 1221, she fought in the Battle of Uji, which pitted the shogunate against the forces of Emperor Go-Toba.
READ TOO
– Are there still samurai in Japan?
– How was the training of a samurai?
– How was the haraquiri ritual performed?
ConsultancyCamila Eleutério, researcher of Japanese culture and author of the blog Projetorevista.com.br, and Leonardo Holschuh, coordinator of Instituto Niten Americana
Sources Book Audacious Women of the Middle Ages, by Vicki León; About.com, Military History, and Samurai Archives sites