Episode notes
Tomoe Gozen is one of medieval Japan's most legendary warriors, a woman remembered for her skill with the bow and sword, her mastery of horseback riding, and her courage on the battlefield. Fighting alongside her lord, Kiso no Yoshinaka during the Genpei War, she commanded hundreds of mounted warriors and became one of the most remarkable figures in Japan's medieval chronicles.
But how much do we really know about the woman behind the legend? In this episode, we follow Tomoe from her childhood connection with Yoshinaka to her dramatic final battle at Awazu and then into the surprising story of what happened after she left the battlefield. Along the way, we explore the historical evidence, the role of women in medieval Japan, and why Tomoe's story has survived for more than eight centuries.