Lady Ichikawa (市川局Ichikawa no Tsubone, d. April 5, 1585) was a Japanese female warrior (Onna-musha) from theSengoku period who helped drive out Ouchi and the Otomo clan from Chugoku.[1] She was the wife ofIchikawa Tsuneyoshi, a samurai warlord and retainer ofMōri Motonari. She defended Konomine castle from the attack byŌuchi.[2][3]
Ōuchi Teruhiro sided withŌtomo Sōrin, a daimyo Christian inBungo Province, after Mori Motonari's troops assassinatedSue Harukata at theBattle of Itsukushima. In 1569, Ōuchi Teruhiro led an attack on the Konomine castle. At this time Ichikawa Tsuneyoshi was fighting against the Otomo clan, in order to captureTachibana Castle inKyushu. When Ōuchi Teruhiro invaded theIchikawa clan area, Lady Ichikawa remained as leader and prepared to defend the Konomine castle.[4][5]
Lady Ichikawa'sladies-in-waiting prepared to fight, and armed themselves with swords.[6] She led her women - and the few remaining castle soldiers - in defending the castle, including making a sortie out past the walls in a full frontal attack against Ouchi Teruhiro's army.[2][1] In the fierce 10-day battle the castle's defense remained strong and Teruhiro fled. Teruhiro was defeated in front of theMori army that had left of Kyushu and killed himself. Due to this achievement, Lady Ichikawa received a letter of appreciation fromMōri Terumoto on July 6 in 1577.[1]
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