Kaihime

Kaihime (1572-date of death unknown) was the daughter of Narita Ujinaga, lord of Oshi Castle in Musashi Province, and one of the most celebrated female warriors of the Sengoku period. When Ishida Mitsunari launched a flood attack against Oshi Castle (present-day Gyōda, Saitama Prefecture) during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Odawara Campaign of 1590, she remained inside the castle and, despite being a woman, personally took up arms and directed the castle's defense. She repelled Mitsunari's flood assault and Oshi Castle never fell (it is celebrated as an impregnable fortress, the 'Floating Castle'). Tradition holds that she was later discovered by Hideyoshi and became his concubine. Renowned as a master of the bow, she skillfully wielded the naginata and bow and arrow to inspire the morale of the castle garrison. As one of the very few women with documented battlefield records, she presents a uniquely powerful presence in the culture of swords and martial arms.