One of the famous Onna Musha (female warrior) known for her bravery and strength on Genpei War (1180-1185)..
The Tale of Henkei :
"..Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a 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.. "
After the defeat of the Heike and force them back to the west, Yoshinaka want to occupy Kyoto and forces Emperor Go-Shirakawa made himself shogun. Brother named Minamoto no Yoritomo who want to kill and capture and transmit Yoshinaka Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Minamoto no Noriyori to do so. Yoshinaka fought Yoritomo's forces at the Battle of Awazu on February 21, 1184. Tomoe Gozen was cut off one head of an enemy in war. Although Yoshinaka forces fought bravely but because so Yoshinaka outnumbered troops to surrender, before he gave up Yoshinaka talks to Tomoe to immediately run away because he did not want to be ashamed to die with a woman.
There are so many stories behind the departure of Tomoe Gozen, some say fled with Yoshinaka's head so as not to fall into the hands of the enemy (this is not yet proven) because a lot of stories about Tomoe Gozen is that considered a myth, because there is no historical facts. There is also a saying that she became the wife of Wada Yoshimori and some who said he became nuns in Echizen. Tomb concubine named Yamabuki Gozen Yoshinaka who was there. Tomoe is often described using a naginata as a weapon, although the character is not necessarily exist in the real world because there is no concrete evidence of it.
Thanks for Wikipedia, http://japanese.lingualift.com/blog/tomoe-gozen-the-female-samurai/ and also http://cobunder2.wordpress.com/2008/06/28/tomoe-gozen/
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