Are their Woman Samurai?

Question

If so are they common?

Answer 1

Errrr you do know that the word Samurai refers to a social class and not an occupation right? In the old days, especially during the Tokugawa era, any Japanese born to a Samurai family whether man or woman is automatically considered a member of the Samurai class. There were basically four major social classes in feudal Japan, the Samurai or warrior class, the peasant farmers, the craftsmen and the merchants. 2 other classes that were not considered part of normal society where the noble classes or the Imperial family who were considered above them all and the "eta" or "the unclean" who handled all the dirty work like embalming the dead, prostitution, cleaning manure and collecting garbage, they were considered as "non human"(kinda like how slaves were treated in the western world back then) and lived in a sub culture of their own.

So to answer your question, yes there were female Samurai. But if you meant were there women warriors who fought battles, then no, there were not many documented records of women leading men into battle, and most of those documented were mostly part of historical myths and legends. Since Japan has a patriarchal lineage system, most women are relegated to the background and only the males are given the glory. Although during times of war, the female samurai are expected to fight to defend their homes with the Naginata or Sword-spear/halberd and when capture was imminent, were duty bound to commit sepuku or ritual suicide by slitting their own throat with a tanto to avoid the shame of      r@pe by the enemy.

Answer 2

Now? Old Samurai families have women- common. If you mean old fighters- Samurai families had many of the women trained to defend themselves and home- the Naginata was originally a women's weapon as lighter pole arm. Big sword-Katana- and long bow were rarely used by the women but training in short swords and light bows, Chinese crossbows known. Women trained in the weapons expected to train sons in basics when father was away and expected to defend homes.  Currently some women from the families maintain some weapon practice as tradition, a few martial arts competitors, and some known to be in police and security forces with advanced training- family jobs tradition.

Answer 3

Only in Anime.

Answer 4

Yes today but as the others said already is true!

You have your answer.

Answer 5

IN feudal Japan, the women members of the samurai class were trained in personal defense usually employing a knife which was to be used against their attacker or on themselves (to commit sepuku or hari kiri) by slashing or cutting their own throat so as to avoid personal and family dishonor.

Women did not fight on battle fields, however, behind the scenes, women have always been powerful in Japanese politics.

May it be well with you.

Answer 6

Technically no.  However, a female warrior named Tomoe was said to have been proficient with the Naginata and took part in many battles during the Warring States Era, but how much is fact and how much if fiction is still up for debate.

Another case was that of Honda Tadakatsu's daughter (do not remember her actual name) who married Nobuyuki Sanada, and was said to have directed the defense of the Sanada families castle during an attack by the Eastern Forces prior to the battle of Sekigahara.

But as far as being actual samurai, I do not know of any cases, only a few of women warriors.

Answer 7

In the past NO only men were truly allowed to be Samurai.

TODAY however a Woman can become a Modern Samurai as I am.  I studied Iado, Kenjutsi, and Kendo for over 25 years now and nothing else but that. Not even another Martial Art.

SO yes their are today but in the past no there was not supposed to be allowed under penalty of death. Even today many traditionalist overseas are still a bit weary!