Modern media often uses the "samurai" archetype to tell stories of gender transition and identity:
While the traditional image of a samurai is male-led, "onna-musha" (female warriors) did exist. These women were trained in martial arts (particularly the naginata ) to defend their households and sometimes fought alongside men in battle.
A high-ranking hero and skilled swordsman, Okamaitachi is a transgender woman who uses her air-blade techniques with "the heart of a maiden".
In the modern day, the samurai image remains a powerful symbol used for both artistic expression and community support: The Truth About Female Samurai
It was not until the Meiji period (late 19th century) that Western influences began to transform Japanese perspectives on sexuality and gender, moving toward more rigid, binary definitions. Modern Perspectives and Representation