In the seven centuries samurai ruled Japan, women played an essential role in both creating and upholding the warrior state. Aside from a brief period in the 14th century, the emperor was little more ...

"Ah, for some bold warrior to match with, that Kiso might see how fine a death I can die!" Tomoe Gozen was the prototypical Japanese female warrior. She had "long black hair and a fair complexion, and ...