One of the most famous Japanese women warriors was Itagaki . An excellent example of the role of women in Japanese society and martial culture at this time is Itagaki , who , famous for her naginata skills , led the garrison of 3,000 warriors stationed at Toeizakayama castle . Ten thousand HÅ jÅ clan warriors were dispatched to take the castle , and Itagaki led her troops out of the castle , killing a significant number of the attackers before being overpowered .