Nakano Takeko (1847–1868) was among the last onna-bugeisha, female samurai of Japan. From a young age, she trained diligently in martial arts and literature, becoming both an instructor and a master of the naginata—the pole weapon that came to define her life and legacy. Her skill and discipline made her a formidable warrior, respected by her peers and feared by her enemies.
In 1868, during the Boshin War, as imperial forces advanced on the Aizu Domain, Takeko formed an all-female battalion called the Jōshitai. Clad in armor and armed with naginatas, these women marched to the front lines to defend their homeland. In the Battle of Aizu, Takeko led a brave charge that amazed even veteran samurai. She was gravely wounded and, knowing she could not be captured, asked her sister to take her life. Her head was buried at Hōkai Temple, where a monument still honors her memory today.
Takeko’s bravery and leadership are commemorated each year at the Aizu Festival, symbolizing female strength, honor, and courage in an era marked by loyalty and sacrifice. She was more than a fighter; she embodied the samurai spirit in its purest form—a fierce, unyielding flame that burned until her final moments.