Half Of Japan’s Samurai In The Edo Period Were Actually Women, According To A New Exhibition At The British Museum
By the early 17th century, as an extended era of peace dawned across Japan, female samurai served as everything from patrons of the arts and scientists to painters and firefighters.
By Cara Johnson
•
Feb 10, 2026
News
Half Of Japan’s Samurai In The Edo Period Were Actually Women, According To A New Exhibition At The British Museum
By the early 17th century, as an extended era of peace dawned across Japan, female samurai served as everything from patrons of the arts and scientists to painters and firefighters.
By Cara Johnson
•
February 10, 2026