The changing role of women in Japanese history Research Paper - 1

The changing role of women in Japanese history - Research Paper Example Koyama (pp.56) indicates that the Japanese woman is no longer the pale skinned, quiet and submissive woman. Majority of the women in the Japanese society today lack the nature of being too accommodating and obedient to the impositions on them. Studies indicate that these women are on the verge of making own decisions despite the forces behind their oppositions. In the previous centuries, specifically the Edo period, women were an oppressed lot in relation to the Confucian thoughts. Inheritance of property, land ownership or taking part in politics was forbidden in the Japanese society. Women were not allowed to attend schools for fear of their ability to rule the society. In this society, women were allowed to read books in ‘kana’ so that they would not have a leeway to success. Over the years the women in the Japanese culture were not allowed to take part in the war. However, that role is slowly changing and a number of women have come up to challenge that perception. Among the notable examples include, Nakano Takeko from the Aizu clan of the Japanese. This woman is remembered for her ability to lead the women’s army at a time when women were forbidden to take part in any form of war. The driving force towards Nakano taking part in the war was to instill brevity among women that would assist them in the absence of the males in the society. Nakano set an example to many other women by undergoing training in martial arts and even setting up a training school.