Imagine attaching the legendary katana (or maybe even a wakizashi) to one end of an extra-long pole or rod. That would be a formidable weapon, precisely what the Naginata sword brings to any battle. Although not as popular as its shorter, more mythical kin – the katana – the naginata is a revered battle implement, especially among foot soldiers, warrior monks, a few Samurai, and the equally legendary onna-musha (or onna-bugeisha female warriors).
Join us in exploring the origins of this legendary Japanese sword (it’s still a sword, although with an exceptionally long handle), including its role in Samurai warfare, types, usage, and a few other details worth discovering. Let’s dig in.
What’s a Naginata?
It’s easy to think about the Naginata as a Japanese katana (or even Tachi) with an exceptionally long handle or tsuka. However, the blade is actually embedded into a wooden pole, although some warriors prefer attaching the blade to a metal rod. It’s the Japanese equivalent of the European “glaive” or the Chinese “guan dao.”
This description makes the naginata a “polearm” (a blade attached to one end of a pole). It was a favorite weapon of the ancient Samurai, warrior monks (sohei), and foot soldiers (ashigaru). More importantly, the naginata has always been emblematic of the Onna-Bugeisha or Onna-Musha (female Japanese warriors).
Discovering the Origins of a Legend: The Naginata
Two competing schools of thought exist regarding the history of Naginata. Some say this weapon drew inspiration from the 1st-millennium hook yari, while others believed the Naginata is a Tachi with an extended handle, making it a Heian Period weapon.
Scholars put more weight into the latter, especially during the Genpei War between 1180 and 1185, pitting the Minamoto clan against the Taira clan. This conflict saw the Naginata rise to prominence (with some scholars saying it overshadowed the Tachi in combat).
Why not? The Naginata was the perfect weapon to counter cavalry (horseback-riding warriors) attacks and armored opponents. It allowed its wielder to strike an opponent from a distance and sweep through enemy formations in a single motion.
Besides the samurai, the naginata was a favorite weapon of warrior monks (sohei), like Saito Musashibo Benkei, and foot soldiers or infantry (ashigaru).
Its Role in Samurai Warfare
Samurai in the Kamakura period donned thick samurai armor to protect them against the Tachi’s slashing attacks. However, many countered this with the Naginata. Not only was it perfect for slashing and cutting. It was also ideal for thrusting attacks and defense, too!
This weapon leveraged its exceptional reach to strike opponents while its wielder maintained a safe distance.
Naginata and the Onna-Bugeisha (or Onna-Musha)
They’re like the female Samurai. That’s who the Onna-bugeisha was in feudal Japan. Their favorite weapon was the Naginata (although it’s possible they were also skilled in handling the katana or tachi).
These female warriors belonged to samurai families (especially during the Tokugawa Period), who trained in using the naginata to defend their homes (and their loved ones) when male family members (Samurai) were away in battle. The Naginata’s long reach allowed onna-bugeisha to keep opponents at bay, making the weapon an excellent self-defense tool.
Tomoe Gozen, an Onna-musha wielding a naginata by Toyohara Chikanobu on Wikimedia.
One of Japan’s most popular Samurai, Tomoe Gozen, was an onna-bugeisha, who served under Minamoto no Yoshinaka during the Genpei War. Another was Hangaku Gozen, who played a role in the Kennin Rebellion of 1201. These legendary women warriors wielded Naginata swords.
Naginata: Decline and Revival
Many samurai during the Muromachi Period ditched the naginata for the Yari (spear) because it allowed for tighter battle formations. Moreover, the katana became the weapon of choice in many combats.
Nevertheless, personal duels and castle defenses still featured the naginata. It became a status symbol, too, especially for women from samurai families.
A modern naginatajutsu competition by Instituto Niten on Wikimedia.
The Showa Era saw the national government introducing Naginatajutsu (naginata martial art) into girls’ physical education curriculum, calling it naginata-do. After World War II, the government remodeled the practice and produced two schools or philosophies: koryu naginata and atarashii naginata.
More than a Pole: The Naginata’s Construction
The Naginata is like an overextended katana or tachi, retaining the blade’s single-edged and curved form. It also has a circular or oval handguard (tsuba), and its forging follows traditional methods and techniques (including smelting and forging tamahagane steel and differential tempering).
Its shaft or “pole” differentiates the naginata from other Japanese swords like the katana and wakizashi. The shaft, starting from under the tsuba and extending to the opposite end, can measure anywhere between 1.2 meters and 2.4 meters. Adding the blade (about 30 to 60 centimeters), you could have a naginata extending from 1.5 meters to 3 meters (from the tip of the blade to the edge of the pole).
A wooden peg (mekugi) secures the removable blade from the shaft. To prevent the blade tang from getting dislodged from the shaft, warriors reinforce the tang section with metal rings (semegane) or sleeves (sakawa)before wrapping the area with cord (san-dan maki), the shaft’s end also features a metal end-cap (hirumaki), which warriors can use to strike opponents.
Types of Naginata
Because this weapon is essentially a pole with a removable blade, warriors can choose the type or shape of their slashing implement, giving rise to the different types of naginata.
Shizuka (Shizukagate)
Shizuka naginata from Japanese Sword Legends.
This naginata has a slightly (also described as shallow or soft) curved blade, which makes it look more like a modified Ninjato sword blade. It’s like an elongated tanto with a sharp, needle-like tip and a slender body. These naginata swords are perfect for thrusting through gaps in an opponent’s armor plates.
Tomoegata
Tomoegata from Japanese Sword Legends.
One couldn’t help but wonder whether this naginata is attributed to Japan’s most popular onna-musha or onna-bugeisha, Tomoe Gozen. It has the classic Tachio shape – strong curvature – but with a more pronounced tip. Unlike the shizuka, the tomoegata is perfect for hooking and cutting. It’s also frequently depicted in pop culture, especially in the arts.
Tsukushi (Chikushi)
Tsukushi naginata from Gunbai.
The Tsukushi is unique in that its blade doesn’t have a tang that secures with the shaft. Instead, the tsuba caps the pole or shaft’s end. Experts believe the Tsukushi drew inspiration from two-handed axes or scythes
Musou (Nata Naginata)
Musou naginata from Gunbai.
The Musou looks like a bayonet because of its unique attachment to the Naginata shaft. Moreover, the blade is unusually large, prompting some to liken it to a 2-handed battle axe. This naginata is one of the oldest (and rarest) and valued for its slashing capabilities.
Bisento Naginata
Bisento naginata from Gunbai.
One look at the Bisento, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a copycat of the Chinese “guan dao.” This formidable weapon has a signature “hook” on its broad blade (it’s like having two curved blade tips from a single body). The Bisento is ideal for slashing and chopping.
Clip Point Naginata
The Clip Point owes its name to a dual-sided sharpened blade tip, making it formidable in thrusting and cutting attacks. Like the Musou, the Clip Point is quite rare.
Fukuro Naginata
Fukuro naginata from Gunbai.
Popular during the 15th century, the Fukuro was something else. Instead of the blade secured inside the shaft through the tang, it was mounted over it. Additionally, the handle was a bit smaller. Experts say these naginata swords were used by onna-musha during training, while samurai warriors used the blades as oars (besides warfare, of course).
Shiai Yo Naginata
Shiai you naginata from Yamato Budogu.
This naginata is only for training purposes, specifically sparring practice. One can liken it to the iaito training sword. It has a bamboo blade and oak shaft, between 2.11 and 2.26 meters long, and weighs at least 650 grams. Like the iaito’s blunt edge, the shiai yo naginata has a covered tip for safety.
Kihon Yo Naginata
Kihon you Naginata from E-Bogu.
The Kihon yo naginata is like the shiai yo naginata, a training tool. However, it is more specific to learning and mastering Koryio swinging forms. It’s a single-piece Japanese white oak (unlike the shiai with a distinct bamboo blade).
Naginata in Combat
While the katana is a deadly bladed weapon, favored for its slashing abilities, one cannot deny the naginata’s versatility. In the hands of a skilled samurai, it can execute sweeping strikes, defensive maneuvers, and thrusts. Its shaft (especially metal versions) is perfect for blocking an opponent’s strikes while giving the samurai a chance to counterattack.
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Makikomi – Imagine Neo “sweeping” tens of Agent Smiths in The Matrix Reloaded, except he’ll use a naginata. The Makikomi or “sweeping cut” is an excellent tactic for downing several opponents in one circular motion.
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Tsuki – This thrusting attack is perfect against heavily armored opponents.
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Harai – Deflecting or knocking away an enemy’s katana or tachi without putting oneself in harm’s way (the opponent’s blade) is easy with this technique.
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Uchi – It’s an overhead strike (like wielding a battle axe and hammering it down) aimed at an enemy warrior’s head or shoulders.
Final Thoughts
The naginata might not be as popular as the katana, but it has its place in Japanese history. After all, this bladed weapon predated the katana by several hundred years, allowing ancient warriors to reshape the land and pave the way for Japan’s colorful heritage. Although the naginata has been considered a woman’s weapon, one cannot deny its relevance in self-defense and contemporary martial art.
