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Tomoe Gozen provides one of the few examples of a true woman warrior in early to early modern Japanese history, though some have questioned whether she truly lived, or was merely a fictional figure invented in the ''[[Heike Monogatari]]''. While countless other women were at times forced to take up arms (in defense of their castle, for example), Tomoe is described as a consummate warrior. She was married to [[Minamoto Yoshinaka|Kiso (Minamoto) Yoshinaka]] (though the ''Heike Monogatari'' describes her as a female attendant<ref>便所</ref>), who rose against the [[Taira clan|Taira]] and in [[1184]] took Kyoto after winning the [[Battle of Kurikara]]. With the Taira forced into the western provinces, Yoshinaka began insinuating that it was he should carry the mantle of leadership of the [[Minamoto clan]] - a suggestion that prompted attacks by [[Minamoto no Yoritomo]]. Fleeing after a major defeat, Yoshinaka, along with Tomoe, faced warriors allied with Yoritomo at [[Battle of Awazu|Awazu]], a desperate fight in which Tomoe took at least one head, that of Onda Hachirô Moroshige.

*''Japanese'': 巴御前 ''(Tomoe Gozen)''

 

Tomoe Gozen<ref>Note that "gozen" is not a name, but rather a term of address that is often translated as "Lady," e.g. "Lady Tomoe."</ref> provides one of the few examples of a true woman warrior in early to early modern Japanese history, though some have questioned whether she truly lived, or was merely a fictional figure invented in the ''[[Heike Monogatari]]''. While countless other women were at times forced to take up arms (in defense of their castle, for example), Tomoe is described as a consummate warrior. She was married to [[Minamoto Yoshinaka|Kiso (Minamoto) Yoshinaka]] (though the ''Heike Monogatari'' describes her as a female attendant<ref>便所</ref>), who rose against the [[Taira clan|Taira]] and in [[1184]] took Kyoto after winning the [[Battle of Kurikara]]. With the Taira forced into the western provinces, Yoshinaka began insinuating that it was he should carry the mantle of leadership of the [[Minamoto clan]] - a suggestion that prompted attacks by [[Minamoto no Yoritomo]]. Fleeing after a major defeat, Yoshinaka, along with Tomoe, faced warriors allied with Yoritomo at [[Battle of Awazu|Awazu]], a desperate fight in which Tomoe took at least one head, that of Onda Hachirô Moroshige.

The ''Heike Monogatari'' describes Tomoe accordingly:

The ''Heike Monogatari'' describes Tomoe accordingly: