A statue of the legendary Japanese samurai warrior Nakano Takeko holding her naginata (a traditional Japanese pole weapon), ready to fight, stands in Higashijodonakanotakeko Park in Aizu. Takeko Nakano (1847-1868) was born in Edo (nowadays Tokyo) into an honorable samurai family, originally from Aizu. Since she was young, she studied martial arts, literary arts in Chinese Confucian classics, and calligraphy working and training tirelessly to become a samurai warrior. During the 1860s, she followed her teacher, who became her adoptive father, and worked alongside him as a martial arts instructor. In 1868 she arrived in Aizu and taught naginata to women and children in Aizuwakamatsu castle (close to where the statue stands). Around this time, the conflict to open Japan to the western world evolved into the civil war called the Boshin War. The people of Aizu refused to surrender, which led to the battle of Aizu. Nakano wanted to join the war efforts, but the officials of Aizu refused to allow her to fight due to her gender. Together with her sister, Yūko, and mother, Kouko, she gathered an army of women warriors, Aizu Justitia (娘子隊, Girls’ Army), leading them in the Battle of Aizu against the Japanese Imperial Army. Nakano and her army fought bravely and tirelessly, shocking the Imperial troops that they were fighting female warriors. After killing several soldiers, Nakano got shut in her chest. Her last request was for her sister to cut off her head so it wouldn’t become a war trophy and give her an honorable burial. Her sister beheaded her and buried her at the Hōkai temple. A monument to her was erected beside her grave at Hōkai Temple in later years. Some people say Takeko Nakano is the Japanese Joan of Arc, who also, at a young age, insisted on fighting in a war and had to fight for her place as a woman in the patriarchal army of France. Her bravery and courage made her a symbol in Japan. Every year during the annual Aizu Autumn Festival, a group of young girls wearing hakama and white headbands march, commemorating the actions of Nakano and fellow female warriors. Read more...