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

). Her character is celebrated by fans for being a sympathetic, justice-seeking hero whose gender identity is accepted without question by her allies.

Though different from Kiku, Yamato identifies as the male samurai Kozuki Oden. While some fans debate the nuances of this identity, it represents another high-profile intersection of samurai status and gender non-conformity. Historical Context: Gender and the Samurai Class

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.