Women as Leaders in Ancient Japan
Ella Tennant
- Region:
- South West
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: 80
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 1st December 2025
- Tagged:
- Japan | Women | Feminism | Japanese Culture
Traditional myth linked to the Imperial origins portrays early Japan as a matriarchal society. The fact that Japan is portrayed as a society firmly based upon a rigid patriarchal system. However, the myths surrounding Japan’s Imperial origins are firmly rooted in matriarchal influences. Shinto and the traditions of the Emperor cult centre on belief in the sun goddess, Amaterasu. There has been a lack of studies on women in Japanese history and this has reinforced a belief that their role has been of less worth than that of men. This talk will explore how women as leaders were not a rarity in ancient Japan and look at the legacy of shaman Queens and what that might mean for women’s equality in Japan today.
Views: 6 | Enquiries: 0About Ella Tennant
With many years of experience as a writer, public speaker and broadcaster, I am an effective communicator of ideas and information and am able to engage and inspire audiences.
Having lived and worked in Europe, Asia and Latin America, I have studied and researched themes related to culture, mystical traditions and practices. This experience has nurtured a lifelong awareness and commitment to the arts, equality, the environment and animal and human rights.
I hold an Honours degree in French Modern Arts, and was awarded a Master of Arts in Comparative Asian Studies, completing a dissertation on Cosmology and Popular Religious Practices in Hong Kong and Japan from the University of Hong Kong, where I also studied for a PhD on Japanese Religion and Society. I also have a number of professional qualifications related to the areas in which I have worked.
I would love to continue to communicate what I have learned and experienced and what continues to inspire me.
Please do get in touch if you would like me to lead a workshop or speak at your event, write an article or appear in an interview on your media platform.
Send a message to the speaker
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: