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Feudal Japan/Female Warriors?

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ChocolateCotton Xkcd Since: Dec, 2010
#1: Aug 26th 2012 at 9:44:44 PM

So, I'm writing...well, it's a Doctor Who fanfic. I want to write a companion from some point in feudal Japan, particularly a female samurai/onna bugeisha (there's apparently a bit of controversy over the proper name?).

The problem is that I don't know a lot about Japanese history and culture, and in order to really do justice to the character and story I need a lot of specific details about the period. However, my usual channels of research are turning up...not a whole lot.

Basically, if anyone knows anything about feudal Japan in general, or samurai, bushido code, or onna bugeisha specifically, or knows a good place for me to look, I would really appreciate it, because I am in way over my head right now.

CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit Since: May, 2009
#2: Aug 26th 2012 at 10:05:27 PM

I would say more if it wasn't so late, but I remember reading in a book somewhere that the wives of samurai were often taught how to defend themselves with a dagger, just in case someone paid a visit while the husband's out.

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Durazno Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#3: Aug 27th 2012 at 1:56:26 AM

Also naginata.

I'm not sure how accurate all of this is, but it might make a good starting point.

EDIT: Whoa, okay, back up. Geisha? I didn't think there were geisha in the sengoku period. I'll have to look for a better article when it's not bedtime. *bookmark*

edited 27th Aug '12 1:58:30 AM by Durazno

ChocolateCotton Xkcd Since: Dec, 2010
#4: Aug 27th 2012 at 12:13:42 PM

[up] Ooo, interesting. I'll have to fact-check, but there's a lot of stuff here that I might be able to use.

Matues Impossible Gender Forge Since: Sep, 2011 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Impossible Gender Forge
#5: Aug 28th 2012 at 12:53:54 PM

The first thing that came to mind was Tomoe Gozen, but she may or may not be mythical.

Durazno Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
KW No Since: Aug, 2013
No
#7: Sep 2nd 2013 at 3:52:55 AM

Woman of the Samurai caste were trained in self-defence. Of course that's pointless now, seeing as this thread is dead.

imadinosaur Since: Oct, 2011
#8: Sep 2nd 2013 at 4:14:17 AM

Then why did you post it?

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
lexicon Since: May, 2012
#9: Sep 3rd 2013 at 12:46:41 AM

This is one of those things I have to wonder what came of it. Was a story written? It it wasn't a year old I would consider it relevant to say that as far as I've heard there weren't female samurai, but there were female ninjas. Anyway, there's no reason we can't revive this.

Durazno Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
#10: Sep 3rd 2013 at 1:07:51 AM

There were definitely female samurai. "Samurai" was a social rank, not just a type of soldier. Also, these ladies existed.

imadinosaur Since: Oct, 2011
#11: Sep 3rd 2013 at 8:36:11 AM

There weren't exactly many female knights in 15th-century France, and yet Joan of Arc led armies very succesfully. You can always just have such a character be a bit extraordinary (thought not to the level of Joan). And of course, there's always the good old 'dress like a man to rescue my fiancee/brother/father' standby.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
lexicon Since: May, 2012
#12: Sep 3rd 2013 at 10:36:44 AM

Interesting, Onna-bugeisha are warriors sometimes mistakenly referred to as female samurai. Joan of Arc wasn't actually a knight but apparently there were some female knights.

KW No Since: Aug, 2013
No
#13: Sep 4th 2013 at 9:19:24 PM

[up][up][up][up][up]

Because I'm an insufferable know-it-all

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