Naginata

The ''naginata'' (, , ) is a polearm and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades ('' nihontō''). ''Naginata'' were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei (warrior monks). The naginata is the iconic weapon of the onna-musha, a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese nobility. A common misconception is that the Naginata is a type of sword, rather than a polearm.

Description

A ''naginata'' consists of a wooden or metal pole with a curved single-edged blade on the end; it is similar to the Chinese guan dao or the European glaive. Similar to the katana, naginata often have a round handguard (''tsuba'') between the blade and shaft, when mounted in a koshirae (furniture). The ''naginata'' blade is forged in the same manner as traditional Japanese swords. The blade has a long tang (''nakago'') which is inserted in the shaft.

The blade is removable and is secured by means of a wooden peg called ''mekugi'' (目釘) that passes through a hole ( ''mekugi-ana'') in both the tang and the shaft.
The shaft ranges from in length and is oval shaped. The area of the shaft where the tang sits is the ''tachiuchi'' or ''tachiuke''. The tachiuchi/tachiuke would be reinforced with metal rings ( ''naginata dogane'' or ''semegane''), and/or metal sleeves (''sakawa'') and wrapped with cord ( ''san-dan maki''). The end of the shaft has a heavy metal end cap ( ''ishizuki'' or ''hirumaki''). When not in use the blade would be covered with a wooden sheath.

History

It is assumed that the ''naginata'' was developed from an earlier weapon type of the later 1st millennium AD, the ''hoko yari''. Another assumption is that the ''naginata'' was developed by lengthening the hilt of the ''tachi'' at the end of the Heian period, and it is not certain which theory is correct.Basic knowledge of naginata and nagamaki.
Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum, Touken World

It is generally believed that ''naginata'' first appeared in the Heian period (794–1185). The term ''naginata'' first appeared in historical documents in the Heian period. The earliest clear references to ''naginata'' date from 1146. In '' Honchō Seiki'' compiled from 1150 to 1159 in the late Heian period, it is recorded that Minamoto no Tsunemitsu mentioned that his weapon was a ''naginata''.Kazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p.35.

In the early Heian period, battles were mainly fought using '' yumi'' (longbow) on horseback, but in the late Heian period, battles on foot began to increase and ''naginata'' also came to be used on the battlefield. The ''naginata'' was appreciated because it was a weapon that could maintain an optimum distance from the enemy in close combat. During the Genpei War (1180–1185), in which the Taira clan was pitted against the Minamoto clan, the ''naginata'' rose to a position of particularly high esteem, being regarded as an extremely effective weapon by warriors. '' The Tale of the Heike'', which records the Genpei War, there are descriptions such as ''ō naginata'' (lit. big ''naginata'') and ''ko naginata'' (lit. little ''naginata''), which show that ''naginata'' of various lengths were used. The ''naginata'' proved excellent at dismounting cavalry and disabling riders. The widespread adoption of the ''naginata'' as a battlefield weapon forced the introduction of greaves as a part of Japanese armor. Ōyamazumi Shrine houses two ''naginata'' that are said to have been dedicated by Tomoe Gozen and Benkei at the end of the Heian period and they are designated as Important Cultural Property.

However, according to Karl Friday, there were various notations for ''naginata'' in the Heian period and the earliest physical evidence for ''naginata'' was in the middle of the Kamakura period, so there is a theory that says when they first appeared is unclear. Earlier 10th through 12th century sources refer to "long swords" that while a common medieval term or orthography for ''naginata'', could also simply be referring to conventional swords; one source describes a ''naginata'' being drawn with the verb , commonly associated with swords, rather than , the verb otherwise used in medieval texts for unsheathing ''naginata''. Some 11th and 12th century mentions of ''hoko'' may actually have been referring to ''naginata''. The commonly assumed association of the ''naginata'' and the ''sōhei'' is also unclear. Artwork from the late-13th and 14th centuries depict the ''sōhei'' with ''naginata'' but do not appear to place any special significance to it: the weapons appear as just one of a number of others carried by the monks, and are used by ''samurai'' and commoners as well. Depictions of ''naginata''-armed ''sōhei'' in earlier periods were created centuries after the fact, and are likely using the ''naginata'' as a symbol to distinguish the ''sōhei'' from other warriors, rather than giving an accurate portrayal of the events.

After the Ōnin War (1467–1477) in the Muromachi period, large-scale group battles started in which mobilized (foot soldiers) fought on foot and in close quarters, and (spear), (longbow), and (Japanese matchlock) became the main weapons. This made and obsolete on the battlefield, and they were often replaced with the and short, lightweight .Arms for battle - spears, swords, bows.
Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum, Touken WorldKazuhiko Inada (2020), ''Encyclopedia of the Japanese Swords''. p42. ''歴史人'' September 2020. pp.40-41.

In the Edo period (1603–1867), the hilts of were often cut off and made into or . This practice of cutting off the hilt of an , , , or and remaking it into a shorter or due to changes in tactics is called and was common in Japan at the time. In Japan there is a saying about swords: "No sword made by modifying a or a is dull in cutting" (薙刀（長巻）直しに鈍刀なし). The meaning of this saying is that and are equipment for actual combat, not works of art or offerings to the , and that the sharpness and durability of swords made from their modifications have been proven on the battlefield.

In the peaceful Edo period, weapons' value as battlefield weapons became diminished and their value for martial arts and self-defense rose. The ''naginata'' was accepted as a status symbol and self-defense weapon for women of nobility, resulting in the image that "the Naginata is the main weapon used by women".

In the Meiji era, it gained popularity along sword martial arts. From the Taisho era to the post-War era, the ''naginata'' became popular as a martial art for women, mainly due to the influence of government policies.

Although associated with considerably smaller numbers of practitioners, a number of "koryu bujutsu" systems (traditional martial arts) which include older and more combative forms of ''naginatajutsu'' remain existent, including Suio Ryu, Araki Ryu, Tendo Ryu, Jikishinkage ryu, Higo Koryu, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, Toda-ha Buko Ryu, and Yoshin ryu, some of which have authorized representatives outside Japan.

Contemporary construction

In contemporary ''naginatajutsu'', two types of practice ''naginata'' are in common use.

The ''naginata'' used in ''atarashii naginata'' (新しいなぎなた), the ''shiai-yo'', has an oak shaft and a bamboo "blade" (''habu''). It is used for practice, forms competitions, and sparring. It is between in length and must weigh over .''Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation'', Thomas A. Green, Joseph R. Svinth, ABC-CLIO, 2010 P.161
/ref> The "blade" is replaceable. They are often broken or damaged during sparring and can be quickly replaced, being attached to the shaft with tape.

The naginata used by ''koryū'' practitioners has an oak shaft and blade, carved from a single piece of wood, and may incorporate a disc-shaped guard (''tsuba''). It is called a ''kihon-yo''.

Contemporary usage

''Naginata'' can be used to batter, stab, or hook an opponent,Katz 2009 but due to their relatively balanced center of mass, are often spun and turned to proscribe a large radius of reach. The curved blade provides a long cutting surface without increasing the overall length of the weapon.

Historically, the ''naginata'' was often used by foot soldiers to create space on the battlefield. They have several situational advantages over a sword. Their reach is longer, allowing the wielder to keep out of the reach of opponents. 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 (''ishizuki''), and the shaft itself (''ebu'') can be used offensively and defensively.

The martial art of wielding the ''naginata'' is known as ''naginatajutsu''. Most ''naginata'' practice today is in a modernised form, a ''gendai budō'' called ''atarashii Naginata'' ("new Naginata"), which is organized into regional, national, and international federations, who hold competitions and award ranks. Use of the ''naginata'' is also taught within the ''Bujinkan'' and in some '' koryū'' schools such as Suio Ryu and Tendō-ryū.

''Naginata'' practitioners wear an '' uwagi'', ''obi'', and '' hakama'', similar to that worn by ''kendo'' practitioners, although the ''uwagi'' is generally white. For sparring, armor known as ''bōgu'' is worn. ''Bōgu'' for ''naginatajutsu'' adds and the have a singulated index finger, unlike the mitten-style gloves used for ''kendo''.

Gallery

File:Antique_Japanese_naginata_blade.jpg, Antique ''naginata'' blade, Tokyo National Museum
File:Naginata(2).JPG, A ''naginata'' made in the Kamakura period
File:Naginata1.JPG, Two ''naginata''
File:Antique Japanese naginata 1.jpg, ''Naginata'' blade and a ''saya''
File:Antique Japanese (samurai) naginata blade 5.jpg,
File:Naginata blade.jpg,
File:Antique Japanese (samurai) naginata.JPG,
File:Antique Japanese (samurai) naginata.jpg,
File:Antique Japanese (samurai) naginata 4.jpg,
File:Samurai wearing kusari katabira (chain armor).jpg, 1870 photograph of samurai and retainers wearing mail armour and holding ''naginata''
File:Tomoe-Gozen.jpg, The ''onna-musha'' Tomoe Gozen on horseback with a ''naginata''
File:NDL-DC 1302763-Tsukioka Yoshitoshi-芳年武者无類 源牛若丸・熊坂長範-明治16-crd.jpg, A duel between Ushiwakamaru, who uses a ''tachi'', and Kumasaka Chohan, a bandit leader who uses a ''naginata''. From Yoshitoshi's ukiyo-e series, ''Warriors Trembling with Courage''.
File:Takayama-Ukon.jpg, Samurai Takayama Ukon with a ''naginata''. Ukiyo-e printed by Utagawa Yoshiiku (1867).
File:Yoshitoshi - Ronin lunging forward cph.3g08656.jpg, A ronin with a ''katana'' and ''naginata''
File:Dog - Hata Rokurozaemon with his dog.jpg, Depiction of samurai Hata Rokurozaemon carrying a ''naginata''

See also

* Bisento
* Dadao
* Glaive
* Guandao
* Halberd
* Podao
* Woldo

References

Sources

* Clive Sinclair: ''Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior''. Lyons Press, 2004, , p. 110.
* George Cameron Stone, Donald J. LaRocca: ''A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: In All Countries and in All Times''. Publisher: Courier Dover Publications, 1999, (Reprint), p. 463f.

External links

International Naginata Federation







��Southern California Naginata Federation


at Koryu.com

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Edged and bladed weapons
Japanese sword types
Polearms of Japan
Samurai polearms
Polearms
Hewing spears
Sport in Japan