Tomoe Gozen Kyushu
Madame Tomoe Kyushu Tomoe Gozen (a.k.a. The Onna-Musha Goddess, White Maiden of the Sword, Heavens Archer)
Tomoe's father, Nakahara Kanetō, was a strong supporter and foster father of Yoshinaka, having raised him since he was two. Her mother was Yoshinaka's wet nurse. Two of her elder brothers also served Yoshinaka as generals.[4]
Genpei War
Tomoe Gozen with Uchida Ieyoshi and Hatakeyama no Shigetada. Woodblock print by Yōshū Chikanobu, 1899
The Tale of Heike, which chronicles the Genpei War, notes that:
Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer and swordswoman. She was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors.[6]
She commanded, under the leadership of Yoshinaka, 300 samurai against 2,000 warriors of the rival Taira clan during the war. After defeating the Taira in 1182 and driving them into the western provinces, Yoshinaka took Kyoto and desired to be the leader of the Minamoto clan. His cousin Yoritomo was prompted to crush Yoshinaka and sent his brothers Yoshitsune and Noriyori to kill him.
Yoshinaka fought Yoritomo's forces at the Battle of Awazu on February 21, 1184, where Tomoe Gozen took at least one head of the enemy. Although Yoshinaka's troops fought bravely, they were outnumbered and overwhelmed. When Yoshinaka was defeated there, with only a few of his soldiers standing, he told Tomoe Gozen to flee because he wanted to die with his foster brother Imai no Shiro Kanehira and he said that he would be ashamed if he died with a woman.[7]
There are varied accounts of what followed. At the Battle of Awazu in 1184,[8] she is known for beheading Honda no Morishige of Musashi.[9] She is also known for having killed Uchida Ieyoshi and for escaping capture by Hatakeyama Shigetada.[10] After Tomoe Gozen beheaded the leader of the Musashi clan, she presented his head to her master Yoshinaka.[11]
Ethnicity
Other Ethnicities/Cultures
Age
40
Family
Children
Eyes
Hazel Eyes subtle
Hair
Long Black Hair
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White Skin
Height
5' 6"
Weight
120 lbs
Ruled Locations
Comments