The Most Famous Female Samurai, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the female samurai you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 11, 2024 07:08

The tales of female samurai resonate with themes of bravery and skill, qualities that transcend time and geography. These warriors, although not as commonly recognized as their male counterparts, played crucial roles in their historical contexts. By ranking these formidable women, we gain a clearer view of their contributions and ensure their stories are not overlooked in the broader narrative of samurai history. Each vote cast in this list is a step towards amplifying the recognition of these extraordinary figures. Your participation helps accentuate the diversity within the samurai legacy and influences how history is remembered and taught. This ranking is not just a list; it's an active participation in historical discourse, providing insight into the influential roles women played in the samurai era.

Who Is the Most Famous Female Samurai?

1

27
votes

Kangetsu Shitomi · Public domain

Tomoe Gozen

Tomoe Gozen - considered one of the most famous female samurai of all time, known for her bravery and skill in battle.
2

7
votes

Hokaiji Temple (法界寺蔵) in Kyoto (Hokaiji Temple Amidado, 法界寺阿弥陀堂), unknown · Public domain

Nakano Takeko

Nakano Takeko is a skilled fighter who died leading a charge against Imperial forces during the Boshin War.
3

20
votes

Yodo-dono

Yodo-dono is the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and mother of his heir, who played a significant role in Japanese history.
4

11
votes

Yoshitoshi · Public domain

Hangaku Gozen

Hangaku Gozen is a legendary warrior who fought against the Kamakura shogunate in the 13th century.
5

11
votes

Hōjō Masako

Hōjō Masako is a powerful figure in medieval Japanese politics and the wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura period.
6

9
votes

Hokaiji Temple (法界寺蔵) in Kyoto (Hokaiji Temple Amidado, 法界寺阿弥陀堂), unknown · Public domain

Takeko Nakano

Takeko Nakano is a skilled warrior who fought and died in the Boshin War.
7

7
votes
Kitsune

Kitsune is a legendary female samurai who was said to have fought against the Tokugawa shogunate.
The Kitsune is a mythical creature from Japanese folklore, often referred to as a fox spirit. It is known for its shape-shifting abilities and intelligence. Kitsune are believed to possess magical powers and are closely associated with Inari, the Shinto deity of fertility, agriculture, and foxes. In Japanese culture, they are often characterized as mischievous but benevolent beings.

Shape-shifting: Kitsune can transform into various forms including humans, animals, and objects.

Number of Tails: Kitsune can have up to nine tails, with each tail symbolizing increased power and age.

Intelligence: Kitsune are considered highly intelligent beings with knowledge and wisdom.

Tricksters: They are known for their mischievous nature and love to play pranks on humans.

Illusions: Kitsune have the ability to cast powerful illusions to deceive or confuse others.
8

6
votes

Tsuruhime

Tsuruhime is a female samurai who lived during the Sengoku period and served as a bodyguard to Oda Nobunaga.
9

1
votes

Mochizuki Chiyome

Mochizuki Chiyome is a ninja and samurai who trained and led a group of female spies.
10

4
votes

Utagawa Kuniyoshi · CC0

Jingu Kogo

Jingu Kogo is a legendary empress and warrior who is said to have led a successful invasion of Korea in ancient times.

Missing your favorite female samurai?

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Ranking factors for famous female samurai

Historical significance

The impact and contribution of the female samurai to Japan's history, culture and society.
Martial prowess

The skill and reputation of the female samurai in combat.
Leadership abilities

The extent to which the female samurai displayed leadership qualities and influenced others.
Cultural impact

The extent to which the female samurai's legacy has left an impact on popular culture and the media.
Recognition

The level of recognition and acknowledgment the female samurai has received for her achievements and influence.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous female samurai. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or samurai is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1365 views
102 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each samurai once every 24 hours. The rank of each samurai is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous female samurai

The samurai were Japan's elite warrior class during the feudal era, known for their martial prowess, honor, and loyalty. While the samurai were historically male, there were also female samurai, or onna-bugeisha, who fought alongside their male counterparts on the battlefield. These women were trained in the art of combat and had the same level of dedication and discipline as their male counterparts. Among these legendary female samurai, a few stand out as the most famous, including Tomoe Gozen, Nakano Takeko, and Hangaku Gozen. Each of these women has a unique story and legacy that has made them an enduring part of Japanese history and culture. In this article, we will explore their lives and accomplishments, and ultimately determine who is the most famous female samurai of them all.