One might be surprised to see a woman in full armour on horseback in the parade. She represents a particular historical figure from the 12th century: Tomoe Gozen.
In the late 12th century war erupted between to military families , both offshoots of the Imperial family. These two families: the Heike and the Genji, wete both trying to install an Emperor that they could control. Initially the Heike were Winning until a cousin of the Genji, the Kiso, came to their rescue. The Kiso's best general, a warrior said to be worth a thousand men, was Tomoe Gozen. The Kiso routed the Heike and then took Kyoto. The Genji, feeling threatened by the Kiso turned on their cousin and defeated them after a series of running battles. During the final battle Tomoe Gozen was ordered off the field by her lord and according to legend did so spectacularly by decapitating in a single blow the biggest baddest samurai she could find. After that, the Genji let her leave the battle field without anyone else trying to stop her...
In the late 12th century war erupted between to military families , both offshoots of the Imperial family. These two families: the Heike and the Genji, wete both trying to install an Emperor that they could control. Initially the Heike were Winning until a cousin of the Genji, the Kiso, came to their rescue. The Kiso's best general, a warrior said to be worth a thousand men, was Tomoe Gozen. The Kiso routed the Heike and then took Kyoto. The Genji, feeling threatened by the Kiso turned on their cousin and defeated them after a series of running battles. During the final battle Tomoe Gozen was ordered off the field by her lord and according to legend did so spectacularly by decapitating in a single blow the biggest baddest samurai she could find. After that, the Genji let her leave the battle field without anyone else trying to stop her...
I remember this story well - we had her ghost in a game, I recall. -Nick P-
ReplyDelete