Naginata

The naginata is a traditional Japanese polearm featuring a curved, single-edged blade.

It belongs to a group of weapons known as nihontō, or Japanese blades. Throughout history, many different groups used this weapon. The samurai class used it during feudal Japan. Foot soldiers called ashigaru and warrior monks known as sōhei also carried it. Most famously, the naginata is the iconic weapon of the onna-musha. These were female warriors belonging to the Japanese nobility.

Constructing a naginata requires careful assembly of several specific parts. The weapon consists of a wooden or metal pole, or shaft, that is often oval-shaped. At the end of this shaft sits a curved blade. This blade is forged using the same methods as traditional Japanese swords. The blade features a long tang, called a nakago, which is inserted deep into the shaft. To keep the blade secure, a wooden peg called a mekugi is passed through a hole, or mekugi-ana, in both the tang and the shaft. The area where the tang sits is called the tachiuchi or tachiuke. This section is often reinforced with metal rings called naginata dogane or metal sleeves called sakawa. The end of the shaft features a heavy metal cap called an ishikizuki or hirumaki.

Historians study the exact origins of the naginata with great interest. It is believed to have developed during the Heian period, which lasted from 794 to 1185. Some assume it evolved from an earlier weapon called the hoko yari. Others suggest it was created by lengthening the hilt of a tachi sword. The term naginata first appeared in historical documents during this era. One of the earliest clear references to the weapon dates to 1146. In the Honchō Seiki, a record from 1150 to 1159, a man named Minamoto no Tsunemitsu mentioned his naginata.

During the Genpei War from 1180 to 1185, the naginata became a highly esteemed weapon. The Taira and Minamoto clans fought during this conflict. The weapon was excellent for dismounting cavalry and disabling riders on horseback. Because of its effectiveness, the widespread use of the naginata forced the introduction of greaves into Japanese armor. The Tale of the Heike describes different sizes of the weapon, such as the ō naginata, or big naginata, and the ko naginata, or little naginata. While many associate the weapon with sōhei, some historians believe this association is not fully accurate. Artwork from the 13th and 14th centuries shows monks with naginata, but they carried many other weapons as well.

Battlefield tactics changed significantly during the Muromachi period after the Ōnin War. Large-scale group battles became common, and soldiers fought in close quarters. This shift caused the naginata to become obsolete on the battlefield. It was largely replaced by the spear, the longbow, and the Japanese matchlock. During the Edo period, from 1603 to 1867, a practice called naginata-naoshi became common. This involved cutting the hilt off a naginata to remake it into a shorter weapon like a nagamaki. There is a Japanese saying that no sword made this way is dull in cutting. This implies these weapons were proven tools for actual combat rather than just art.

In modern times, the naginata has transitioned from a weapon of war to a martial art. This practice is known as naginatajutsu. Many practitioners follow a modernized form called atarashii naginata, or "new Naginata." This version is used in organized competitions and federations. For these matches, players use a specific type of equipment. The shaft is made of oak, but the blade is a bamboo piece called a habu. This bamboo blade is replaceable if it breaks during sparring. These practice weapons must weigh over 500 grams and have a length between 2 and 3 meters.

Practitioners of naginatajutsu follow specific traditions in their training. They wear clothing including an uwagi, an obi, and hakama. During sparring, they wear protective armor called bōgu. This armor protects the head, wrists, and torso. The gloves used in naginatajutsu are different from kendo gloves because they have a single index finger. While modern practice is often a sport, older combat systems called koryū bujutsu still exist. These include schools like Suio Ryu, Araki Ryu, and Tendo Ryu. These traditional systems preserve the older, more combative forms of the art.