The history of Japanese women

Gender discrimination in Japan became severe when the Edo government regarded Confucianism as an important study during the Edo period (1603 – 1868). This serous gender discrimination continued until WWII and finished when the U.S. established democratic rule in Japan.

However, social position of females in Japan had not always been miserable, traditionally speaking.

During the Muromachi period (1338 – 1573), many Japanese women in big cities started and operated their own business. Also, it is thought that many women had higher social positions and learned more than their husbands.

Prior to that time, during the Kamakura period (1192 – 1333), Japanese women rode horses and took over family land as well as the land of her brothers.

During the Heian period (794 – 1192), we had female authors, whose novels and essays are still a part of Japanese classic literature. So much that all Japanese students read it in Junior and Senior high school.

During the Nara period (710 – 784), we had 8 Empresses, which was 50% of the total number of Emperors and Empresses during this period; and that is including the first empress in East Asia.

Sometimes between the years 200 to 300, Japan was known as Yamataikoku which was led by a female queen. It is thought that Yamataikoku is the oldest country built in Japan.