encyclopedia-amazonica:Hangaku Gozen - Deadly archerHangaku (c.1172- after 1201) was the daughter of
encyclopedia-amazonica:Hangaku Gozen - Deadly archerHangaku (c.1172- after 1201) was the daughter of the head of the Jō family, a warrior clan from Echigo province, Japan. In 1201, Hangaku family’s had become embroiled in a conflict with the Kamakura shogunate. She found herself besieged by their troops in the clan’s castle. Hangaku led the defense and showed her skills as a military commander. The Azuma Kagami chronicle recounts that Hangaku was a particularly talented archer. She thus climbed on the roof of a watchtower and killed and wounded many enemy soldiers with her arrows. Hangaku was ultimately wounded in both legs and captured. She was taken to Kamakura and brought to shogun Minamoto no Yoriie. Though the situation was dire, Hangaku maintained her dignity in front of her captors. The shogun contemplated the fact of having her killed or exiled. A warrior named Asari Yoichi Yoshitō was, however, impressed by her bravery and asked to be allowed to marry her. His request was granted and Hangaku became his wife. She thus went to live to her husband’s homeland and gave birth to a child. Hangaku also accompanied him on his trips to Akita Prefecture.Here’s the link to my Ko-Fi if you want to support me.References:A. Curtis, “Story of the Skillful Archer named Hangaku Gozen”Amdur Ellis, Old School: Essays on Japanese Martial TraditionsFukumoto Hideko, Femmes et samouraïs“板額御前” Touken world -- source link