how did the role of female samurai change from the twelfth century to the 17 century?

Answer 1

during the unstable period in Japan, the female samurai were skilled warriors in every way. while the men had to go about fighting the woman would have to protect the home from enemies. they specialized in the use of long spear like weapon and the use of short swords. however once peace was more or less imposed by the shogunate, the female samurai had less opportunity's to use their martial art training. all though they continued to receive the training, their main job was overseeing the estate and its servants. while their husbands were at the capital or elsewhere this would usually mean they had complete control over the estate until their sons came of age.