From Tomoe Gozen to Jeanne Hachette, these 10 badass warrior women have slashed their way into the history books, in this episode of History Countdown. | HISTORY

In the male-dominated world of 12th-century Japan, one name struck more terror into the hearts of men than any shogun or warlord: Tomoe Gozen. While many high-born women were trained as onna-bugeisha to defend their homes, Tomoe was a rare onna-musha—an offensive warrior who charged directly into the front lines of the brutal Genpei War. According to the Heike Monogatari, Tomoe was "a warrior worth a thousand," possessed of incredible beauty and even more terrifying skill. She was a master of th

Japan's most legendary female samurai warrior who fought in the brutal Genpei War of 1180-1185. This epic historical documentary reveals the untold story of a woman who was described as "a warrior worth a thousand" and whose martial prowess was so exceptional that even her enemies acknowledged her skill. 🗡️ What You'll Learn: The real history of Tomoe Gozen and her role in the Genpei War How female samurai warriors (onna-bugeisha) trained and fought in medieval Japan The Battle of Awazu and Tom

JAPAN HAD FEMALE SAMURAI. THEN THEY ERASED THEM. ⚔️ When you think "samurai," you picture men with katanas. But for centuries, Japan had onna bugeisha—female samurai warriors. They trained from childhood. Fought in battles. Defended castles. Led armies. And their weapon of choice? The naginata—a seven-foot bladed pole that could behead a mounted warrior. Let me introduce you to some of them: Tomoe Gozen (12th century): Fought in the Genpei War. A contemporary chronicle described her as "a fearso