Women and Japanese Swords — Emerging Bearers of Evolving Sword Culture

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

When one thinks of Japanese swords, the phrase "the soul of the warrior" comes to mind, and for a long time they have been regarded as belonging to the male realm. However, a careful examination of history reveals that the connection between women and swords runs deep indeed. Rather, the presence of women is profoundly inscribed in the very foundation of sword culture.

In samurai society, the swords carried by women were primarily short swords called fukuro-gatana (懐刀). Most had blades measuring three to nine sun—approximately 9 to 27 centimeters—and were wrapped in cloth and concealed within the folds of the obi or worn in one's bosom. This served not merely as a tool for self-defense, but also held symbolic meaning as proof of chastity. It was a blade carried with the resolve to take one's own life rather than be captured by enemies.

The practice of presenting a fukuro-gatana as part of a bride's trousseau became widespread during the Edo period, and for samurai daughters, the sword also served as an ornament demonstrating "feminine elegance." Though small in blade, their hilts (koshirae) were often adorned with maki-e lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay—elegant works that have earned high appreciation from the perspective of sword art. Many beautiful fukuro-gatana commissioned for women remain in museum collections today.

Tomoe Gozen and the Onna-Bugeisha — Swords Wielded by Women on the Battlefield

Throughout history, there were numerous women who took up swords and went into battle. The most renowned among them is undoubtedly Tomoe Gozen, who served Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Kiso no Yoshinaka). A female warrior of the late Heian period, she is depicted in the "Tale of the Heike" as: "Fair of complexion and long of hair, her appearance was truly remarkable. …She was a warrior who could face any demon or god in battle—a peerless opponent."

At the 1184 Battle of Awazu, having witnessed Yoshinaka's final moments, Tomoe Gozen is said to have taken the head of an enemy commander, Mita Hachiro Morishige, and then escaped to the eastern provinces. Her martial prowess was passed down through later generations of martial artists and became a symbolic figure justifying women's practice of the naginata and long sword.

During the Sengoku period, training with the naginata, known as onna-naginata, spread among samurai daughters. The naginata's longer reach and ability to compensate for differences in physical build made it particularly suited to women—another manifestation of women's deep connection with bladed weapons. In modern classical martial arts, naginata-do remains popular among many female practitioners.

Touken Ranbu and the Birth of "Sword-Loving Women"

A major transformation in modern sword culture came with the browser game "Touken Ranbu -ONLINE-" (commonly called "Touranbu"), which launched in 2015. The game, in which players raise personified swords called touken danshi, became an explosive hit, primarily among female players in their teens to thirties.

The impact extended far beyond a mere gaming boom. The number of visitors to sword museums and temples and shrines across the country surged dramatically, with the traditional visitor demographic (primarily middle-aged and older men) undergoing a significant shift. At the Tokyo Touken Museum in Ryogoku, female visitors increased sharply as players known as saniwas searched online catalogs for information about actual swords and came to the museum seeking the opportunity to encounter the real blades in person.

Special exhibitions featuring National Treasure and Important Cultural Property swords such as "Heshikiri Hasebe" and "Mikazuki Munechika" became so popular that tickets sold out the same day they went on sale. Emerging from their interest in the actual swords that served as game character models, female fans began to independently study specialized knowledge about sword authentication techniques, the quality of the metal, and the varieties of blade patterns.

While the term "sword-loving women" may sound somewhat light, their knowledge and passion are genuine, and their contribution to broadening the appeal of Japanese sword culture cannot be overstated.

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

There was once an era when it was said that "women cannot forge swords." The forging of swords had sacred, religious aspects, and the custom of prohibiting women's entry into the smithy persisted for a long time. However, beginning in the Showa period, those barriers began gradually to crumble.

Today, women are now included among officially registered master sword makers recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Most female sword makers undergo rigorous training under a master and progress through the following steps to become fully accomplished:

1. Working with tamahagane (jewel steel)
2. Folding and reforging
3. Shaping in the fire
4. Applying clay
5. Quenching

While many of the tasks are physically demanding, some master smiths note that "women's sensibility shines in processes requiring delicate precision."

Women are also making notable strides in the field of sword polishing. The polishing of a sword involves multiple stages:

• Initial wiping
• Surface grinding
• Edge polishing

As this work requires sensitivity and perseverance more than raw strength, the number of female polishers has been steadily increasing.

The presence of these female artisans brings new perspectives and vitality to the traditionally insular world of Japanese traditional craftsmanship.

The World of Appreciation and Collection — Female Collectors

Women are increasingly entering the world of sword appreciation and collecting. At authentication events hosted by the Japan Art Sword Preservation Association (JASPA), the number of female judges and female participants has grown in recent years, and female experts with specialized knowledge of swords are being cultivated.

When discussing the beauty of swords, experts frequently reference three essential elements:

Women enthusiasts who collect and appreciate swords with deep understanding of these aesthetic elements are no longer a minority. Female influencers have also emerged, using social media and YouTube to share the appeal of swords and are helping to pass the culture on to the next generation.

Changing Bearers — The Future of Sword Culture

Japanese sword culture has long been spoken of as "a man's domain," but the reality has always included women. Samurai women carrying short swords for self-defense, female warriors charging onto battlefields, young women awakened to sword history through Touken Ranbu, and female sword makers continuing to forge tamahagane—across each era and in their own ways, women have engaged with swords.

Japanese sword-making techniques have been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property, and their preservation and transmission are urgent priorities. As the aging of master sword makers and the shortage of successors present pressing challenges, the participation of women as new bearers of the craft carries profound significance for safeguarding tradition. The future of sword culture rests in the hands of all those, regardless of gender, who are captivated by the sword.