Japan’s elite warrior class, the Samurai, have long been distinguished by their codes of honor, discipline and deadly skill with weaponry. While most narratives focus on male samurai warriors, women from this warrior class (Onna-Bugeisha or female warriors) often played an invaluable role in defense during times of conflict when communities needed protection against invasion. A key aspect of female warrior history that many find fascinating is whether they used an iconic katana as their weapon; by investigating this we not only uncover weapons they wielded but also uncover societal norms martial arts training practices as legacies that have contributed to what legacy they left us today.
