A samurai wielding a naginata

Naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. It has become associated with women and in modern Japan it is studied by women more than men; whereas in Europe and Australia naginata is practiced predominantly (but not exclusively) by men. A naginata consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade on the end; it is similar to the Chinese Guan Dao or European glaive. Usually it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft. Image File history File links Samurai_with_Naginata. ... Image File history File links Samurai_with_Naginata. ... A reenactor troupe armed with a variety of polearm known as a halberd. ... For other uses, see Samurai (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... A guan dao or kwan dao is a type of Chinese pole weapon that is currently used in some forms of Chinese martial arts (wushu). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A typical tsuba The angle of the sabre in shodan no kamae is determined by the tsuba and the curvature of the blade (shinai are stright, but real weapons are curved) Wikimedia Commons has media related to: tsuba The tsuba (鍔) is a round guard at the end of the grip...

The martial art of wielding the naginata is called naginatajutsu. Most naginata practice today is in a modernised form, a gendai budō called atarashii naginata ("new naginata"), in which competitions also are held. Use of the naginata is also taught within the Bujinkan and in some koryū schools. Naginata practitioners may wear a modified form of the protective armour worn by kendō practitioners, known as bōgu. Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Naginatajutsu (なぎなた術, 長刀術 or 薙刀術) is the Japanese Martial art of wielding the naginata, a weapon resembling the medieval European glaive. ... Gendai budō (現代 武道) is a Japanese expression that is used to define the modern Japanese martial arts. ... The Bujinkan (武神館) is a martial arts organization practicing the art commonly referred to as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu (武神館武道体術). It is headed by the Sōke Dr Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭). Dr Hatsumi is the recognized lineage holder of the nine ryÅ«ha[1][2] (see ancestral schools) transferred to him in the middle... KoryÅ« (古流) is a Japanese word that is used in association with the ancient Japanese martial arts. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Kendo (剣道 Kendō) or way of the sword, is the martial art of Japanese fencing. ... Kendo Bogu The Bogu ), special protective armor in the kendo and naginata martial arts, consists of: men: helmet do: trunk protector kote: hand and forearm protector tare: hip protector sune-ate: shin protectors worn only by naginata practitioners The men protects the neck and face. ...

History

The term naginata first appeared in the Kojiki in 712 CE and was used by Sohei warrior priests during the Nara Period, around 750 AD. It is most likely based off of the Chinese Guan Dao. In the paintings of battlefield scenes made during the Tengyo no Ran in 936 CE, the naginata can be seen in use. It was in 1086, in the book Ōshū Gosannenki ("A Diary of Three Years in Ōshū") that the use of the naginata in combat is first recorded. In this period the naginata was regarded as an extremely effective weapon by warriors. Kojiki or Furukotofumi (古事記), also known in English as the Records of Ancient Matters, is the oldest surviving historical book recounting events of ancient earth in the Japanese language. ... The sōhei Benkei with Minamoto no Yoshitsune Sohei (僧兵), lit. ... The Nara period ) of the history of Japan covers the years from about AD 710 to 784. ... A guan dao or kwan dao is a type of Chinese pole weapon that is currently used in some forms of Chinese martial arts (wushu). ... Painter redirects here. ... Oshu can be: The city of ÅŒshÅ«, Iwate, Japan Another name for the old Japanese province of Mutsu Another name for the area encompassing the old Japanese provinces of Mutsu plus Dewa Oshu (Stargate), the First Prime of Lord Yu in Stargate SG-1 Category: ...

During the Gempei War (1180-1185), in which the Taira clan was pitted against Minamoto no Yoritomo of the Minamoto clan, the naginata rose to a position of particularly high esteem. Cavalry battles had become more important by this time, and the naginata proved excellent at dismounting cavalry and disabling riders. The widespread adoption of the naginata as a battlefield weapon forced the introduction of sune-ate (shin guards) as a part of Japanese armor. The rise of importance for the naginata can be seen as being mirrored by the European pike, another long pole weapon employed against mounted warriors. An excellent example of the role of women in Japanese society and martial culture at this time is Itagaki, who, famous for her naginata skills, led the garrison of 3,000 warriors stationed at Toeizakayama castle. Ten thousand Hōjō clan warriors were dispatched to take the castle, and Itagaki led her troops out of the castle, killing a significant number of the attackers before being overpowered. The Genpei or Gempei War (源平戦争)(1180-1185) was a war of ancient Japan, fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans. ... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Naval battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... Taira (å¹³) is a Japanese surname. ... Portrait of Yoritomo (copy) Minamoto no Yoritomo May 9, 1147—February 9, 1199) was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. ... Seiryoji, a temple in Kyoto, was once a villa of Minamoto no Toru (d. ... Not to be confused with Golgotha, which was called Calvary. ... A greave (from 12th century French greve shin, of uncertain origin) is a piece of armour that protects the leg. ... A modern recreation of a mid-17th century company of pikemen. ... Lady Hangaku ) was a Japanese warrior, one of the very few Japanese warrior women known to history or classical literature. ... For people named Garrison, see Garrison (disambiguation) Garrison House, built by William Damm in 1675 at Dover, New Hampshire Garrison (from the French garnison, itself from the verb garnir, to equip) is the collective term for the body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but... The Hōjō clan (北条氏) in the history of Japan was a family of regents of the Kamakura Shogunate. ...

Students at Kobe Shoin Women's University wearing modern armor for naginata sparring, minus helmet.

During the Edo Period, as the naginata became less useful for men on the battlefield, it became a symbol of the social status of women of the samurai class. A functional naginata was often a traditional part of a samurai daughter's dowry. Although they did not typically fight as normal soldiers, women of the samurai class were expected to be capable of defending their homes while their husbands were away at war. The naginata was considered one of the weapons most suitable for women, as it allows a woman to keep a male opponent at a distance, where his greater height, weight, and upper body strength offers less of an advantage. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 503 KB) Summary Description: Modern naginata sparring armor, minus helmets Source: My own photograph Date: Taken 2005-6-9; timestamp is for EDT Author: Lowell Silverman Permission: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 503 KB) Summary Description: Modern naginata sparring armor, minus helmets Source: My own photograph Date: Taken 2005-6-9; timestamp is for EDT Author: Lowell Silverman Permission: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2. ... Main campus, with the chapel at left. ... The Edo period ), also called Tokugawa period, is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868. ... A dowry (also known as trousseau) is a gift of money or valuables given to the family of the bridegroom by the family of the bride or vice versa at the time of their marriage. ...

By the 17th century the rise in popularity of firearms caused a great decrease in the appearance of the naginata on the battlefield. However, the naginata saw its final uses in combat in 1868, at Aizu, and in 1876, in Satsuma. In both cases it was used by fighting women. A Glock 22 hand-held firearm with internal laser sight and mounted flashlight, surrounded by hollowpoint ammunition. ... Generally, a battle is an instance of combat in warfare between two or more parties wherein each group will seek to defeat the others. ... Monument to the Byakkotai Samurai Aizu ) is a former feudal domain (Han), part of the modern-day Japanese prefecture of Fukushima, formerly a part of Mutsu province. ... Satsuma is the name of a town in Japan, Satsuma, Kagoshima, the surrounding district, Satsuma District, Kagoshima, the former province, Satsuma Province, which is now the western half of Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, a revolt, the Satsuma Rebellion. ...

Due to the influence of Westernization after the Meiji Restoration the perceived value of martial arts, the naginata included, dropped severely. It was from this time that the focus of training became the strengthening of the will and the forging of the mind and body. During the Showa period, naginata training became a part of the public school system. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Meiji Restoration ), also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, or Renewal, was a chain of events that led to enormous changes in Japans political and social structure. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... The Shōwa period (Japanese: 昭和時代, Shōwa-jidai, period of enlightened peace) was the time in Japanese history when Emperor Hirohito reigned over the country, from December 25, 1926 to January 7, 1989. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Martial arts training in Japan was banned for five years by the Allied Forces after Japan's surrender at the end of World War II. After the lifting of the ban in 1950, a modern form of naginata training, known as Atarashii naginata ("new naginata"), was developed. Since World War II, naginata has primarily been practiced as a sport with a particular emphasis on etiquette and discipline, rather than as military training. A representation of the changes in territory controlled by Allies and Axis powers over the course of the war. ... Balian of Ibelin surrendering the city of Jerusalem to Saladin, from Les Passages faits Outremer par les Français contre les Turcs et autres Sarrasins et Maures outremarins, ca. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Office etiquette be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Discipline (disambiguation). ...

Construction

The naginata, like many weapons, can be customized to fit the build of the bearer. Generally, the naginata shaft is the height of the bearer's body, with the blade mounted atop usually measuring two or three shaku (one shaku is equivalent to 11.93 inches, or 303 mm) long. Unlike most polearms, the shaft is oval in cross section to allow easy orientation of the blade, and ranges from 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 meters) long. The blade is usually curved, sometimes strongly so, towards the tip. As with Japanese swords, naginata blades were forged blades, made with differing degrees of hardness on the spine and edge to retain a sharp edge but also be able to absorb the stress of impact. Some naginata blades may, in fact, have been recycled katana blades. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Japanese unit. ... This oval, with only one axis of symmetry, resembles a chicken egg. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Note also at the opposite end of a naginata, the ishizuki, (a metal end-cap, often spiked, which functioned as a counterweight to the blade) was attached, rendering the naginata an effective weapon whichever end was put forward.

In contemporary naginatajutsu, there are two general constructions. The first, the kihon yo, is carved from one piece of Japanese white oak and is used for the practice of katas (forms). This is quite light, and may or may not feature the tsuba between the blade and shaft sections. The second type, the shiai yo, uses a similar wooden shaft, but the blade is constructed from bamboo and is replaceable as it can break through hard contact. This type is used in atarashii naginata, the bamboo blade being a lot more forgiving on the target than a wooden or metal blade.

Many of the imitation "naginata" for sale to the public are not actually naginata at all, as may be concluded from the above details on proper construction. Specifically, these imitations have shorter, rounded shafts, very short blades, and screw-together sections.

Usage

Students at Shoin practicing naginata forms

Naginata can be used to stab, but due to their relatively balanced center of mass, are often spun and turned to proscribe a large radius of reach. The curved blade makes for an effective tool for cutting due to the increased length of cutting surface. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, one 5-foot (1.5 m) tall wielder could conceivably cover and attack in 380 square feet (35 m²) of open, level ground with a 5 foot (1.5 m) shaft, 3 foot (1 m) blade, 3 foot (1 m) reach. Naginatas were often used by foot soldiers to create space on the battlefield. They have several situational advantages over a sword. Their reach was longer, allowing the wielder to keep out of reach of his opponent. The long shaft offered it more leverage in comparison to the hilt of the katana, enabling the naginata to cut more efficiently. The weight of the weapon gave power to strikes and cuts, even though the weight of the weapon is usually thought of as a disadvantage. The weight at the end of the shaft and the shaft itself can be used both offensively and defensively. Swords, on the other hand, can be used to attack faster, have longer cutting edges (and therefore more striking surface and less area to grab), and were able to be more precisely controlled in the hands of an experienced swordsman. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 405 KB) Summary Description: Naginata forms, practiced by students at Kobe Shoin Womens University Source: My own photograph Date: Taken 2005-6-9; timestamp is for EDT Author: Lowell Silverman Permission: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1024x768, 405 KB) Summary Description: Naginata forms, practiced by students at Kobe Shoin Womens University Source: My own photograph Date: Taken 2005-6-9; timestamp is for EDT Author: Lowell Silverman Permission: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Famous users

• Tomoe Gozen
• Hangaku Gozen
• Benkei

A woodblock print of Tomoe Gozen in battle. ... Lady Hangaku ) was a female warrior samurai, one of the relatively few Japanese warrior women commonly known in history or classical literature. ... Benkei as portrayed in Kabuki plays. ...

See also

• Glaive
• Guan dao
• Budo
• Yari
• Martial arts
• Bisento
• Halberd

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A guan dao or kwan dao is a type of Chinese pole weapon that is currently used in some forms of Chinese martial arts (wushu). ... Budo (武道) is a term for Japanese martial arts. ... several yari, including one hafted with a simple crossbar straight yari head with saya Jumonji yari head use of yari in mock combat Yari (槍) is the Japanese term for spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... A Bisen-to is a kind of Japanese pole weapon (adopted from China, the mighty Kwan-do/Guan dao, from Kwan Gung/Guan Gong, the Chinese God of War) which greatly resembles a naginata. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Naginata

• Japan Naginata Union
• US Naginata Federation home page and general information
• British Naginata Association
• Naginata Association of Western Australia
• Southern California Naginata Federation - history of the naginata
• Canadian Naginata Federation home page
• (Portuguese) Brazilian Naginata Association