Tomoe Gozen

Tomoe Gozen, the only female warrior (onnamusha or onna-bugeisha), described in the epic literature of the samurai tradition. The name "gozen" means "honorable": "Tomoe was the most beautiful. She was also a strong archer and a vigorous soldier, on horseback or on foot, suited to face a demon or a god, she was worth a thousand warriors... Her name was associated with greater glory than that of any other warrior. And when all had perished or fled, she remained among the last seven knights.