Why did women writers become less prominent during the Kamakura period?

The prominence of women writers declined during the Kamakura period (1192–1333) largely due to the rise of a new, feudalistic government centered on the samurai class. This regime was built upon martial discipline, which contributed to a lowered social position for women compared to the preceding Heian period.1

While women in warrior families initially retained some rights, such as the ability to inherit portions of estates and even hold jitō posts, these privileges were gradually restricted over time. This shift in the social and political landscape resulted in a noticeable diminution in the importance of literary works by court ladies; indeed, there was hardly a woman writer of distinction between the 13th and 19th centuries. Despite this trend, the period saw a final, notable contribution to the tradition of introspective writing by women with the Towazu-gatari by Lady Nijō.21