naginata

The naginata is a traditional Japanese pole weapon consisting of a curved, single-edged blade mounted at the end of a long wooden shaft. The overall length typically ranges from about 2.0 to 2.5 meters, with the blade itself around 60 to 75 centimeters. The shaft is wooden and often finished smooth; the blade is mounted with a tang bound to the shaft. The weapon is used with both hands.

The naginata is designed for long-reach cutting and sweeping motions, enabling a user to strike, deflect, and unbalance opponents while staying at a distance. Its curved blade and long reach make it effective against cavalry and infantry, and it can be used to hook or trap an opponent’s weapon.

The naginata likely evolved in Japan after contact with Chinese and Korean polearm designs, becoming established by the Heian or Kamakura periods. It was widely adopted by samurai and, notably, by onna-bugeisha (female warriors) of the Sengoku period. Although its battlefield role declined with the early modern era, the naginata remained an important symbol of martial tradition and appears in both historical and literary sources, with famous legends such as Tomoe Gozen associated with its use.

In the modern era, naginata has been sustained as a sport and martial art. Practitioners train in forms (kata) and free sparring, using standardized rules and protective equipment. Today, naginata is practiced around the world in dedicated dojos and clubs as a discipline of budo, with dedicated associations in Japan and elsewhere.