Modern Depictions of Tomoe Gozen
Tomoe Gozen continues to appear in works of art in the modern world, both in Japan and in the west. Tomoe Gozen, or characters inspired by Tomoe Gozen, can be found in manga, films, fiction and video games. Perhaps the character of Tomoe is included in these modern narratives much for the same reason Tomoe was added to the Heike Monogatari. She provides a break to the male dominated stories of warfare, and in some examples is able to bring sexuality to the battlefield. The fact is that what makes Tomoe an interesting warrior is her gender. The rarity of female warriors in history is what makes a character like Tomoe referenced so often and so famous. Because there are not many alternatives, Tomoe can be sited as a precedent or inspiration for almost any female fighting character whether or not the character really shares much in common with the Tomoe of the Heike Monogatari.
Riverworld
Riverworld is a series of science fiction novels written by Philip Hose Farmer in the 1970s and later made into a movie. The book is based on the premise of a world where all of humanity is simultaneously resurrected . Tomoe Gozen is part of a cast that includes other historical figures such as Mark Twain and Francisco Pizarro. It is interesting that it is Tomoe who makes her way into this western series, almost as the token representative of eastern culture in the cast. Tomoe in Riverworld wields two blades, a style of fighting that appeared much later in Japanese history. Typical of warriors of the Heike Monogatari she announces her name, bringing with it a bit of feisty feminism, “My name is Tomoe Gozen! Swordsman of the Minamoto Clan! Champion, consort, and war captain of Kiso Yoshinaka! I bow to no man!"
Riverworld is a series of science fiction novels written by Philip Hose Farmer in the 1970s and later made into a movie. The book is based on the premise of a world where all of humanity is simultaneously resurrected . Tomoe Gozen is part of a cast that includes other historical figures such as Mark Twain and Francisco Pizarro. It is interesting that it is Tomoe who makes her way into this western series, almost as the token representative of eastern culture in the cast. Tomoe in Riverworld wields two blades, a style of fighting that appeared much later in Japanese history. Typical of warriors of the Heike Monogatari she announces her name, bringing with it a bit of feisty feminism, “My name is Tomoe Gozen! Swordsman of the Minamoto Clan! Champion, consort, and war captain of Kiso Yoshinaka! I bow to no man!"
Tomoe Gozen
Tomoe Gozen is a novel written by Jessica Amanda Salmonson in 1981. It is the story of a female warrior under the employ of a warlord in a feudal Japan; after being captured in battle Tomoe is forced to turn against her master and commit a series of evil deads. The story traces Tomoe's adventures as a ronin as she attempts to regain her honor. This arch does not seem to have much correlation to the Heike Monogatari, but perhaps is tied to the story of Tomoe's capture by Wada Y0shimori as Yoshimori fought for Yoshitsune.
Salmonson's other works seem to focus on female heroines. Tomoe is likely chosen as a subject as she fulfills the role of the Joan of Arc type of figure, a rare example of female strength in a male dominated setting, and perhaps even a character that can be used to make women inspire women to feel empowered.
Tomoe Gozen is a novel written by Jessica Amanda Salmonson in 1981. It is the story of a female warrior under the employ of a warlord in a feudal Japan; after being captured in battle Tomoe is forced to turn against her master and commit a series of evil deads. The story traces Tomoe's adventures as a ronin as she attempts to regain her honor. This arch does not seem to have much correlation to the Heike Monogatari, but perhaps is tied to the story of Tomoe's capture by Wada Y0shimori as Yoshimori fought for Yoshitsune.
Salmonson's other works seem to focus on female heroines. Tomoe is likely chosen as a subject as she fulfills the role of the Joan of Arc type of figure, a rare example of female strength in a male dominated setting, and perhaps even a character that can be used to make women inspire women to feel empowered.
Tomoe Ame in Usagi Yojimbo
Usagi Yojimbo is a manga series set in Edo period Japan with anthropomorphic characters such as rabbits and mice. Tomoe Ame is a cat based off of Tomoe Gozen. She serves as a bodyguard and personal adviser to one of the lords in the story.
Usagi Yojimbo is a manga series set in Edo period Japan with anthropomorphic characters such as rabbits and mice. Tomoe Ame is a cat based off of Tomoe Gozen. She serves as a bodyguard and personal adviser to one of the lords in the story.
Persona 4
Tomoe Gozen serves as the inspiration for the “persona" of the character Chie Satanoka in the videogame Persona 4. In the Persona series, a persona is the the fighting alter ego that a group of high schoolers pocess. Chie, a normally upbeat and peppy high school girl, transforms into a futuristic, alien-like, double bladed naginata wielding fighter named Tomoe.
Tomoe Gozen serves as the inspiration for the “persona" of the character Chie Satanoka in the videogame Persona 4. In the Persona series, a persona is the the fighting alter ego that a group of high schoolers pocess. Chie, a normally upbeat and peppy high school girl, transforms into a futuristic, alien-like, double bladed naginata wielding fighter named Tomoe.
Samurai Deeper Kyo
In the series Samurai Deeper Kyo the character Saisei is said to be a resurrection, or zombie warrior version, of Tomoe Gozen. Wielding a naginata Tomoe fights alongside a gaggle of naked and cannibalistic zombies. Tomoe has no personality or volition in this series as she is essentially only a puppet controlled by another character. There doesn't seem to be much correlation between the Tomoe of the Heike Monogatari and Saisei of Samurai Deeper Kyo.
In the series Samurai Deeper Kyo the character Saisei is said to be a resurrection, or zombie warrior version, of Tomoe Gozen. Wielding a naginata Tomoe fights alongside a gaggle of naked and cannibalistic zombies. Tomoe has no personality or volition in this series as she is essentially only a puppet controlled by another character. There doesn't seem to be much correlation between the Tomoe of the Heike Monogatari and Saisei of Samurai Deeper Kyo.