Tomoe Gozen (Gozen being an honorific title) was a female samurai, and lived in the 12th – 13th century AD. She was married to Kiso Yoshinaka who rebelled against the Taira clan. In 1184 the couple took Kyoto after winning the Battle of Kurikawa.
With the Taira forced into exile in the Western Provinces, Yoshinaka made it known that he desired to become the leader of the Minamoto clan - a suggestion that prompted an attack by Minamoto Yoritomo.
Yoshinaka and Tomoe faced Yoritomo's warriors at the Battle of Awazu; it’s said that Tomoe took at least one head during this battle.
Some versions of her story have it that Tomoe died at Azawu with her husband, while others assert that she survived and became a nun.
The Heike Monogatari provides the following somewhat breathless and fanciful description of her....
"Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors."
(Tale of the Heike, translated by McCullough, pg. 291)
Although she was never renowned for using the naginata, she's invariably portrayed carrying one in modern Japanese pop culture as depicted in this 90mm model from Alexandros Models.