Women and the Japanese Sword — Evolving Guardians of Sword Culture

Women of the Samurai Class and the Sword — A History of Self-Defense and Refinement

When we think of the Japanese sword, the phrase "the soul of the warrior" comes to mind, and for a long time it was considered a man's world. However, if we carefully examine history, the relationship between women and swords is far from shallow. Rather, the presence of women is deeply etched into the foundation of sword culture itself.

In samurai society, the swords carried by women were primarily short swords called the "懐刀 (fukorogatana)." These typically had blade lengths of three to nine sun (approximately 9–27 cm), and were wrapped in cloth and concealed in the folds of the obi or in the bosom. This served not only for self-defense but also held symbolic meaning as proof of chastity. It was also a sword of resolve, to be used to end one's own life if captured by the enemy.

The custom of bringing a fukorogatana as part of a bride's dowry became widely established during the Edo period, and for the daughters of samurai, the sword represented "a woman's dignity and refinement" as a prized possession. Although the blades were small, the koshirae (sword fittings) often featured elegant designs with maki-e lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay, earning high praise from the perspective of sword art appreciation. Many beautifully crafted fukorogatana made for women remain in museum collections today.

Tomoe Gozen and Female Warriors — Women Who Took to the Battlefield

Throughout history, there have been numerous women who took up swords and went to battle. Among them, the most renowned is surely Tomoe Gozen, who served Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso no Yoshinaka). A military commander of the early Kamakura period, the *Heike Monogatari* (Tale of the Heike) describes her as: "Truly beautiful in face, fair-skinned with long hair, her prowess with bow and horse was second to none, and when she wielded the tachi, even demons and gods would be struck with awe."

At the Battle of Awazu in 1184, Tomoe Gozen witnessed Yoshinaka's final moments and is said to have claimed the head of the enemy general Onda Hachiro Morishige before fleeing eastward. Her martial prowess was passed down through later generations of martial artists, becoming an iconic figure that legitimized women's practice of the naginata and tachi.

During the Sengoku period, training in a practice called "女薙刀 (onna-naginata)" became widespread among the daughters of samurai families. The naginata, with its longer reach than the sword, was considered well-suited to women as it could compensate for differences in stature. This represents another deep connection between women and bladed weapons. Even in modern koryu bujutsu (traditional martial arts), naginata-do continues to have many female enthusiasts.

Touken Ranbu and the Birth of the "Sword Enthusiast" Movement

A revolutionary change in modern sword culture came with the browser game *Touken Ranbu -ONLINE-* (commonly called "touranbu"), which launched in 2015. This game, in which players cultivate "touken danshi" (sword boys)—personified versions of famous Japanese swords—became a massive hit, drawing primarily female players aged in their teens through thirties.

The impact extended far beyond a mere gaming phenomenon. The number of visitors to sword museums and shrines and temples across the country surged dramatically, significantly shifting the traditional visitor demographic (previously dominated by middle-aged and older men). The Touken Museum in Ryogoku, Tokyo, saw a sudden increase in female visitors, with players called "審神者 (saniwas)" seeking opportunities to encounter actual swords.

Special exhibitions featuring National Treasure and Important Cultural Property swords that served as character models—such as "Heshikiri Hasebe" and "Mikazuki Munechika"—saw tickets sell out on the day of release. From an interest in the actual swords that inspired game characters, some female fans began independently studying specialized knowledge such as methods of sword appraisal, the role of the jigane (steel body), and the varieties of hamon (blade patterns).

While the term "刀剣女子 (touken joshi)" or "sword enthusiast" might sound casual, these women's knowledge and passion are genuine, and their role in broadening the appeal of Japanese sword culture cannot be overstated.

The Rise of Female Sword Smiths and Polishers — New Hands Carrying Forward Traditional Craftsmanship

There was once a time when it was said "women cannot forge swords." Sword-making contained sacred and ritualistic elements, and a long-standing custom prohibited women from entering the tanaba (sword-forging workshop). However, since the post-war period, this barrier has gradually broken down.

Today, women are counted among officially registered touken shokunin (sword smiths) by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Most female sword smiths undergo rigorous training under a master, beginning with working with tamahagane (jewel steel), progressing through folding and hammering, fire-shaping, clay application, and quenching before becoming fully qualified. While many processes are physically demanding, some sword smiths note that "women's sensibility shines in work that requires delicate perception."

In the field of polishing (togishi work), women's contributions are becoming increasingly visible. Sword polishing involves multiple stages—"wiping," "ground polishing," and "edge brightness (hazuya)"—and ultimately requires bringing out the beauty of the hamon and jihada (steel surface). Since the work demands sensibility and perseverance over brute strength, the number of female polishers is steadily increasing.

The existence of these female craftspeople brings new perspectives and vitality to a traditionally insular world of heritage craftsmanship.

The World of Appreciation and Collection — Female Collectors

Women are increasingly entering the realm of sword appreciation and collecting. The examination meetings held by the Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK, Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) have seen a recent increase in female examiners and participants, and female experts in sword appraisal are being cultivated.

When experts discuss the beauty of swords, they frequently highlight three elements: "jihada" (steel surface), "hamon" (blade pattern), and "sugata" (form). The jihada refers to the texture of the iron created through forging, exhibiting patterns such as itame, mokume, masame, and ayasugi. The hamon is the pattern that emerges on the blade surface through quenching, and varies by school and blade smith—examples include suguha (straight), notare (wavy), choji (clove-bud), and gunome (wavy cluster). The sugata refers to the overall profile of the sword, with the depth of curvature and the shape of the kissaki (point) reflecting the period and intended use.

Women enthusiasts who collect and appreciate swords with a deep understanding of these aesthetic elements are no longer a minority. Female influencers who share the appeal of swords through SNS and YouTube have emerged, and they are increasingly playing a role in passing this culture to the next generation.

Evolving Guardians — The Future of Sword Culture

Japanese sword culture has long been discussed as "the province of men," yet in reality it has always existed alongside women. From samurai women carrying fukorogatana for self-defense, to female warriors who charged across battlefields, to young women awakening to the history of swords through Touken Ranbu, and to female sword smiths who continue to forge tamahagane—in each era, and in their own ways, women have engaged with the sword.

The manufacturing techniques of the Japanese sword are designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan, and their protection and transmission are pressing concerns. With the aging of sword smiths and the critical shortage of successors, the entry of women as new practitioners holds profound significance for preserving tradition. The future of sword culture rests in the hands of all those—regardless of gender—who are captivated by the sword.