Instagram story viewer> @rimi_monster> Tagged

RIMIKA TANAKA

@rimi_monster

undefined

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Today we're recommending The Way of the Samurai Women by @rimi_monster. Who were the samurai women, and what might samurai spirit look like today?

In recent times, samurai have been made famous by movies, manga, video games, even fashion. They have somewhat become macho icons but that's only part of the story. Some samurai, particularly those who remained steadfast in the clan household, were women. Some were even warriors. In this book, Rimika explores how we, today, can reclaim their ancient wisdom - much of it held in the philosophical tradition of Zen Buddhism - for our times and in a more inclusive and holistic way.

Readers will discover the inspirational example of historical samurai women, alongside contemporary Japanese women who possess the samurai spirit. The book delves into concepts which allowed the samurai to survive and thrive: nature worship, mindful movement and performing the ideal self. Along the way, it offers prompts and exercises to help the reader channel the wisdom of legendary samurai women.

@headlinebooks #samurai #westfield

65

17

Huge congratulations on the book launch 📕🎊✨
We were so honored to share our Onigiri with everyone at this wonderful party 🎉
Wishing Rimika endless success ahead 🍙❤️#rimikatanaka #thewayofthesamurai #japanesefoodlondon

46

3

The Mother of the Dog Shōgun (1628-1705) is one of my favourite samurai women featured in my book The Way of the Samurai Women. This is because her story takes many twists and turns.

She begins her life as the daughter of a Kyoto greengrocer and her name is Tama (玉, meaning 'precious', 'jewel' or 'ball'). Through her mother's work, her fate changes and Tama rises into the ranks of the samurai. She becomes a courtly attendant and moves from Kyoto to Edo, where the shōgun resides. Here, whilst working at Edo Castle, she catches the eye of the powerful samurai nursemaid named Kasuga no Tsuboné. The nursemaid arranges a private meeting between Tama and the Shōgun, and he is so attracted to her that he promotes her to concubine.

Tama then gives birth to a son, who will become the fifth Tokugawa shōgun, named Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. He is brought up aware of his commoner roots because his mother tells him about her upbringing. Tama is a devout Buddhist - becoming a nun in later life and taking on the name Keishōin - and teaches her son to uphold Buddha's compassionate ideals.

Mother and son rule as social reformists in Edo Japan. Tsunayoshi as shōgun proclaims that all orphaned children and stray dogs shall be looked after by the state. This gains him the nickname of the "Dog Shōgun". When his mother dies, he builds Gokokuji to commemorate her; a large shrine-temple that still stands today in Tokyo.

#samuraiwomen #womenshistory #dog #mother #Japan

18

0

This handmade tea bowl belonged to Rimi’s mother, and Rimi kindly passed it on to me.

Today, I enjoyed arranging flowers in it—a lovely way to appreciate its shape and character.

Thank you, Rimi, for this special gift.

7

1

The Way of the Samurai Women is officially launched! Thank you for inviting me @rimi_monster @wayofsamuraiwomen

Every party needs onigiri, Ramune, Orion beer and matcha KitKats! Thanks to @arthurreiji for modelling the hyōshigi clappers.

39

1

Look what just arrived @rimi_monster ! Now , do I just not work /eat/ exercise and cancel all plans until I’m done reading ? Bc that’s what my heart is telling me to do ?!! Cannot WAIT !!!!!!!!!! So so amazing Rimi

5

2

In recent times, samurai have been made famous by movies, manga, video games, even fashion. They've become macho icons, but that's only part of the story. Some samurai, particularly those who remained steadfast in the clan household, were women. Some were even warriors.

Come along with me on my journey as I explore samurai practices, culture and myth. I delve into the unique samurai world influenced by nature worship, Zen, Shinto-Buddhism, martial arts, meditation, theatre, poetry, calligraphy and pilgrimage.

All the while I discover more about my Japanese heritage, and get to know my late mother better, who was, in spirit a samurai woman.

I'm the author Rimika Tanaka @rimi_monster. In my book, The Way of the Samurai Women, readers will find examples of historical samurai women, alongside some contemporary femmes who still possess the samurai-spirit. ⚔

Available to preorder from link in bio.
Coming out on 24 September 2026
Published by @headlinehome

#Samurai #Women #JapaneseHistory #SamuraiCulture #Japan

104

12

2.5 days completed with 30 plus minutes to spare!

Thanks to Mars at @idaudio for making my first audiobook seamless and such a pleasure and for the gift of @rimi_monster words that made reading this book so special and personal ❤️

Full of fascinating stories of Samurai women and packed with insight and practical ways to reflect on your own life and take action!

This is a unique Samurai self-help book for busy modern lives and a touching tribute to a magical mother.

I really hope you can get to read (or listen!) to this book when it comes out September 24th. @wayofsamuraiwomen @headlinehome

#samurai #samuraiwomen #wisdom #japan

88

3

This samurai woman named Akamatsu Tōshōin (c. 1460-1521) was alive in the Sengoku / Warring States Period, when unsurprisingly there was a lot of in-fighting and treachery among the samurai clans.

When she was a girl, Tōshōin was sent to a famous Buddhist temple in Kyoto, by her samurai warlord father, people said, because she was so ugly, that it was to save her shame. In her thirties, she was called out of the nunnery by her gay samurai brother, Hosokawa Masamoto, so that she could forge an alliance between two samurai clans through an arranged marriage.

She was late to marry (for the medieval times) and came out of her religious order, a highly educated woman with a mind for stratagem and a keen charisma. She rose in power, assuming control over her failing Akamastu clan, and the shōgun of the time wrote letters addressed to her, as the leader of her clan.

A side-note on her brother Masamoto: the tradition of homosexual relations between senior male samurai and younger, male samurai known as wakashū, was a well-established part of Japanese culture. Samurai being "gay" or having male-on-male sexual relations was not deemed surprising or negative, but part of samurai culture.

#samurai #Japan #medievalhistory #womenshistory #lgbtq

Images of onigawara from Japan-experience.com

25

2

The samurai believed in an active spirit world. They invoked spiritual protection and power through prayer and symbols carried on their armour, weaponry and talismans.

A favoured samurai icon was the goddess Marishiten (摩利支天). Sometimes she is framed by the sun and moon, as she is related to the Buddhist goddess of light (Marici). Her power of light was so overwhelming that it could be blinding, which samurai and ninja would invoke to give them the power of concealment, like an invisibility cloak.

Marishiten could also be depicted as a hairy man, multi-armed, riding atop a charging wild boar. Boars were seen as symbols of sheer determination, bulldozing anything that stood in their way.

#samurai #wildboar #goddess #marishiten #talisman

31

0

Summer so far: lots of fútbol, horses, & friends from London to Vermont to NYC 💙☀️

83

4

Last night’s Patterned Ground @housmans_books books was amazing!
A sold out night with incredible new writing and music from:
@lemonfemon @benjaminstrak @rimi_monster @celinelowenthal @alilewispoet @robertoc.salvador
Presented by @sophie.u.crawford

We’ll be back on 14th July with more!
Look out for tickets here!
Get in touch if you’d like to be on the mailing list!

#newwriting #newpoetry #newmusic #livemusic #poetryreading

37

2