Something about onna-Bugei and Kunoichi.
female samurai, or rather onna-Bugei - woman, belonging to the caste of the samurai in feudal Japan and trained weapon skills.
term consists of the words: onna (女) - «a woman» and Bugei (武 芸 者) - «man of martial arts."The use of the expression "a female samurai" is semantically incorrect, since the word Samurai (侍) is used only in relation to men.Similarly, properly speaking onna-bushi, as part of the word bushi (武士) character B (士) is used in idiomatic expressions meaning "man, male" (compare - 紳士 Sins - a gentleman, 同 士 Doce - one, 紳士 服sinsifuku - Menswear).
In addition, the women of the samurai class could use the term Buke-no-onna (武 家 の 女), meaning "a woman of class buke (bushi)," but unlike "onna-Bugei" he does not mean thatwoman actually took part in the battles along with men, but only speaks of its origin and possible that she received the traditional female samurai class minimum of knowledge in hand to hand combat and swordplay.
Buke-no-onna: skills and requirements
from ordinary samurai class representatives are not expected to participate in the battles, but, nevertheless, a woman was required to protect themselves and the house and educate children.In Bushido, the first duty of a female samurai considered service to your spouse.Code of Bushido also praised the women of the samurai, "have been able to rise above the imperfections and shortcomings inherent to their gender, and to demonstrate the heroic fortitude, that would be worthy of the bravest and most honorable men."
Because women have been taught to use weapons mainly naginata (art naginatajutsu) and spear yari, chains and ropes.Instead they had a katana tanto."The usual place of storage for the spear was a place above the door in the house, because in this way women have been able to use it against attacking enemies or any intruder that has penetrated into the house.Also, women with no less skill skillful with a short dagger (kayken), which, like the wakizashi warrior men, was always with her - in a sleeve or belt.Kaykenom can be applied as a lightning strike in the melee and throwing it with deadly speed. "This knife was handed to her on the day of achievement girl samurai age (12 years) according to the ritual.
kayken also needed in committing ritual suicide (female version of this action is called Dzigana and was distributed as widely as seppuku for men).Moreover, women are not ripped his stomach like the men and slit his throat.Another strict rule of the ritual was mandatory binding own ankles, so that after death to look decent.When there is a real danger of being captured by the enemy, they are not only strongly accepts death at the hands of male relatives or their commanders, but also they killed men, if for some reason they could not or did not want to commit ritual act, and did not spare insuch a situation, either himself or his children.
If necessary, samurai women took on the responsibility for the implementation of retaliation, which was considered the only possible reaction (according to the Japanese interpretation of Confucianism) to abuse or murder of Mr.Even during the period of stagnation of the Tokugawa shogunate women strictly observe the principle of unconditional loyalty to his clan - sometimes even more severely than men. "
similar situation prevailed in the XI-XVII centuries.At the beginning of the XIII century, laws were passed that gave women equal rights of inheritance with the brothers and the right to bequeath property.However, to the XVII century respect for women in childbirth samurai decreased markedly.Their situation has worsened, because of what they have become pawns on the matrimonial market.However, the resistance of the spirit and habit of learning in samurai families remained, as evidenced by the record of the Boshin Civil War when during the defense of Aizu Khan (1868), some women compatriots shook their exploits.
Tomoe Gozen
Tomoe Gozen (巴 御前) (1157 - 1247), concubine or wife Minamoto Esinaka, one of the military leader in time of war Gempei.The most famous of which is the battle of the battle of Kurikara where Tyra first received a crushing defeat.
Tomoe became famous for his bravery and strength.It is believed that she survived the war Gempei (1180-1185).
"Heike monogotari" describes "onna bugeisha" woman warrior:
"Tomoe was especially good - white-faced, with long hair, writing a beauty!She was a skilled archer, a glorious warrior, one is equal to a thousand!Horse riding whether on foot you build - up in arms are not afraid of it either demons or gods, who bravely jumped at the frisky horse, descended into any abyss, and when the battle begins, wore a heavy battle armor, girded with a sword, took the hands of the powerfulbow and join the battle of the first, as the brave, valiant warrior!Not once rattled the fame of its exploits, no one could compare with it in courage. "
Tomoe accompanied Yoshinaka in almost all battles.But in the latter when Udzigava, nearby Kyoto, Yoshinaka ordered the woman to escape, because they do not want to die surrounded by "women" or just wanted it to be saved "- you - woman, run the same out of here, run rather aimlessly!And now I'm going to fall in battle.But if you will threaten me prisoner, I'll commit suicide and do not want people to laugh at me, saying, Yoshinaka last fight was dragging with him a woman!- So he said, but not all Tomoe Yoshinaka decides to leave, but he was adamant."Oh, if I had a meeting today of any worthy opponent!- Tomoe thought.- Let the gentleman in the last time he would see how I can fight! "- And, with this thought stopping a horse, she began to wait for enemies.At this time, suddenly appeared the celebrated athlete Morosige Onda, a native of the land, Musashi, and with him a retinue of thirty vassals.Tomoe galloping wedged into their ranks, drew level with a horse horse Onda, tightly grabbed him, pulled off his horse, tightly pressed to the front of the bow of his saddle, one stroke cut down a head and threw her to the ground.Then he dropped the battle armor and let the horse to the east. "
Hojo Masako
Hojo Masako (1156-1225), wife of Minamoto Yoritomo and Buke-no-onna in fighting duels be noted (as himself Yoritomo), butHe proved to be a great strategist.After his death in 1199 Minamoto no Yoritomo Hojo Masako became a Buddhist nun, but her influence on political life in Japan this has not diminished.It has achieved that her youngest son, 12-year-old received the title of shogun Sanetomo, forced to recant his older brother Yoriie and thus self-ruled Japan with his father Hojo Tokimasa.Influence Masako in Kamakura was so significant that it was nicknamed Ama Shogun (Shogun-nun).
Nakano Takeko
Takeko Nakano (1847 (?) - 10 October 1868) - a female samurai who died defending the castle of Aizu-Wakamatsu in the Boshin War.
Nakano Takeko, the eldest daughter of an official of the principality Aizu Haney Nakano, born in Edo (now Tokyo).She was educated in the field of literature and martial arts, a good command of naginata (literal translation - "a long sword"; the Japanese edged weapons with a long-handled oval (that handle instead of the shaft as it may seem at first sight) and curvedsided blade).Being adopted by a Akaokoy Daisuke his teacher, Nakano worked with him as an instructor of martial arts in the 1860s.In Aizu Takeko found herself for the first time in 1868.
During the Battle of Aizu she commanded a group of women who fought independently of the main forces of the Principality, as senior officials of the Aizu forbade them to engage in combat as an official part of the army.This group was later called the "Women's detachment" or "Women's Army."Leading his troops to the attack against the forces of the Imperial Army Duchy Ogaki Takeko received a bullet wound in the chest and asked his sister Yuko cut off her head and bury her, so she did not get to the enemy as a trophy.Takeko head was brought to the temple Hokaydzi (in the modern village Aydzubange Fukushima Prefecture) and was buried under a pine tree.
next to the grave in Takeko Hokaydzi monument was erected.Its construction involved the Japanese Navy admiral Dewa Sigeto, who came from Aizu.The processions to "Aizu Matsuri", an annual autumn festival, held in the city Aydzuvakamatsu, traditionally attended dressed in hakama girls with white headbands depicting Takeko and its warriors.
Kunoichi
They are like fire feared pampered geisha and twentieth avoided expensive cold-blooded ninja.Their erudition and subtle beauty of a legend, every man secretly dreamed of meeting with them ... and mortally afraid of this meeting.
Indeed, there is no enemy more dangerous than a beautiful woman.The impregnable citadel, where the Japanese ninja with difficulty climbing the steep wall, fragile Kunoichi-jitsu but entered without problems, quietly stepping tiny legs similar to the stems of chrysanthemums.The little hands fluttered outcomes (fan) on the second he opened his eyes men deep languorous beauty and immediately hid their frightened.She could have a few hours to entertain the present intelligent and informative conversation, to play for guests at the musical instruments, dance and sing brilliantly to hold a tea ceremony.And then, just quietly disappear in the predawn haze, carrying with it the life of the one for which actually meant this visit.
Who really were these mysterious, dangerous and beautiful girls at the same time?
«Kunoichi» (kunoichi, く ノ 一) - is the name of a female ninja.
This term could come from the names of the three characters, similar kanji, which is written the word "woman» (女, onna):: «Ku» (く) - «but» (ノ) - «ichi» (一).Early literary sources, for example, «Enshū Senkuzuke Narabi Nihyaku In» (遠 舟 千 句 附 并 百 韵, 1680), as well as «Maekuzukeshū» (前 句 付 集, 1716) most definitely associate the word with the kanji 女.
legendary Japanese commander and the daimyo (lord) Takeda Shingen had never known the bitterness of defeat, covering his sword immortal military glory because I always walked a step ahead of the enemy.The basic operational information he received from the female ninja.When in 1561 at the Battle of Kawanakajima died the most famous master of espionage at the time Mochizuki Moritoki, his widow Mochizuki Tieme not followed the existing tradition to mourn her husband in a monastery, and decided to fight under the patronage of his uncle, the man Takeda Shingen, is fighting for the unification of Japan.Rhode Mochizuki has long been engaged in intelligence activities, and the young widow learned something during the life of her husband.Tieme created and led the school female ninja, known in history as the poetic name of "Kunoichi" - "deadly flowers."
Since the race Mochizuki ancient times controlled the activities of the monks yamabushi and miko (female mediums acting as prophetesses in the Shinto temples, and the maids in the temple ceremonies) in the province of Shinano (now the Sigati), Prince Takeda came up with a brilliant idea, according to whichTiome Mochizuki was to train a group of well-trained women Miko, who along with the usual tasks of espionage, observing or doing errands in the neighborhood Kai (now Yamanashi), where the possession of Prince Takeda, could be used in the province of Shinano (now Sigati).In strategic terms, the province was particularly important, as both Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin his opponent saw it as an important strategic base in its future conquests.During his reign, Takeda attached great importance to the service of his loyal ninja spies.For the most part, he is recruiting them from the ranks of his opponents.Kunoichi were just another link in the chain of his informants, with a very important element, sometimes producing invaluable information.
Sometimes girls just bought from impoverished peasants, and in the face of the abbess-Kunoichi they gained a caring mother and a strict teacher.In the eyes of the peasants such abbess idolized, because she was a woman, the warmth of his heart warmed dozens of orphans.In the first step the children to inculcate a sense of boundless devotion in return for room and board, and then to learn the basics of getting and transmitting sensitive information, spread rumors and destroying enemies reception mom.After many years of training and artificial sterilization of poor orphans turned into deadly weapons, the charms of which he could not resist any man.The main thing in their preparation was the ability to manipulate men to use their weaknesses to your advantage.Deep knowledge of psychology, acting talent, subtle intuition - that's the main weapon of female ninjas.Of course, this does not mean that the Kunoichi could not use methods of physical influence - but they and their specifics below.
cold winter night on the mountain pass Kaydomena young Kunoichi Masako in a dark dense forest I ran into a pack of hungry wolves.Not wanting to offend the blade "Kaika" unarmed animal blood, she squeezed his thumbs in his hands "clenched", squared her shoulders and went to meet the wolves.Mesmerized by powerful internal energy unprecedented animals tail between his legs and did not dare to attack an unusual girl ...
Girls-Kunoichi in perfection owned various types of weapons.Silk folds of their clothes concealed shine shuriken (throwing stars to) skilled in hairstyles hid sharpened studs.One shot - and the soul in love with Kunoichi warrior goes to Buddha.No one knew of their earthly possessions, only flowering plum, Dancing cherry, azure sky, a shining pearl ...
long practice with a heavy weapon rubbing calluses on his hands, and after training fights inevitably could stay bruises, especially on the sensitive and delicate female bodies.Therefore, the rate in the women preparing for a deadly fight was made on the other.First of all, attention was paid to the refined aspects of close combat (taijutsu) and the use of hidden, Surprise and small weapons (hibuki, sikomibuki and Kobuk).Ambush tactics, methods of removing the watch or guerrilla warfare techniques, suitable for men Ninja - in preparing women replaced the skills of manipulation and exercise of intuition due to their large slope in the area of Applied Psychology at the meeting with the enemy, man.The main weapon they were resourcefulness and flexibility, agility and speed, precision and cunning ... And, of course, women's deceit - these qualities are very suitable for Kunoichi acceding to the uncompromising fight with the enemy, or to defend his honor and life.
Arsenal Kunoichi was huge, but it was "Kanzashi" was a favorite weapon.In many adventure books that time often repeated phrase "she snatched out of the hair hairpin reverse grip and ready to fight.""Kindzasi" made of wood, brass, nickel silver, sometimes treating the poison, and the slightest scratch to become deadly.She could instantly send the enemy to the light special paper fan with double walls, between which fill a poisonous powder sprayed in the direction of the victim.
Another known weapon was a 70-centimeter chain "manrikigusari" with weights on the ends or halberd "naginata".Over looked fantastic feline claws - "nekode", something like thimbles 2-centimeter claw of hardened steel (borrowed from the conventional instrument musicians Kato), which could easily rip the belly, pull out a piece of meat, and even pierce the skull.Moreover, many of the girls grew their own nails and treating them with special solutions adjusted to the state of incredible hardness.
most popular self-defense weapon medieval Japanese women - desyatisantimetrovyh thick needle with tassels of silk - also used the "invisible", they were a whole set for the left belt in tiny paper sheath.Kunaiti knew in what a vulnerable point to drive them.
There were also "plevatelnye" needles triangular cross-section that is blown out of paper tubes directly into the eyes of the victim.However, in the hands of an experienced ninja any object becomes a deadly weapon.From staff harmless nuns could suddenly pop out a sharp blade or a poisoned arrow, sweet geisha can instantly cut the throat of a sheet of paper or a tickle to the last breath with her hair.
