Naginata: the history, technique, and evolution of the Japanese polearm

What is it about the naginata that made it a symbol of struggle, defense, and pride? Imagine the rustling of the forest under hooves, the dust cloud after a cavalry charge, and, in the center, the figure dominating the space with a curved blade at the end of a pole: that is the naginata. In this article, you will discover its origin, its social transformation, the techniques that made it legendary, and how it came to be a modern martial art practiced worldwide.

I will explain the anatomy of the weapon, its tactical use in battle, its relationship with the onna-bugeisha (female samurai warriors), the institutional evolution of naginatajutsu up to contemporary Atarashii Naginata, and what its practice means today. Furthermore, you will find chronologies, comparative tables, and resources to identify historical replicas and models.

Naginata: Historical Evolution from Polearm to Modern Martial Art

Before delving into technical details, it is appropriate to place the naginata in a timeline showing its journey from the battlefield to contemporary dōjōs. The chronology clarifies why the weapon mutated from a military tool to a cultural symbol and a sports discipline.

Era	Event
Nara Period (710-794 AD)
Debated Origin	The naginata may have been introduced to Japan through exchanges with China (Song Dynasty) and Buddhist monks; perhaps it evolved from the tehoko. It became a prominent weapon for warrior monks (sōhei).
10th Century
Use by Warrior Monks	Documented beginning of the regular use of the naginata by warrior monks (sōhei).
Heian Period (794-1185 AD)
Military Use and Characteristics	Used by infantry to defend against cavalry; curved blades of 30–60 cm and shafts of 120–240 cm. Training in naginatajutsu among warriors, including women.
Genpei War (1180-1185 AD)
Rise and Fame	The naginata gains great popularity among the Minamoto and Taira clans for its effectiveness against cavalry; it appears in the classical work The Tale of the Heike. Armor adapts (introduction of suneate) to protect against low blows.
Kamakura Period (1185-1333 AD)
Continuity	The naginata remains a popular weapon among male warriors.
Nanbokuchō Period (1331-1392 AD)
Preferred Weapon	In a context of constant conflicts, the naginata, versatile for thrusting and cutting, is preferred by samurai over the shorter spears of the time.
Ōnin War (1467-1477 AD)
Decline on the Battlefield	Mass infantry tactics and the emergence of much longer spears (yari) reduce the naginata’s utility in battle; however, it continues to be practiced as a civilian martial art.
Sengoku Period (c. 1467-1615 AD)
Transition to Female Use	With less military use, naginatajutsu becomes a defensive weapon for ladies of samurai families during this turbulent period.
Edo Period (1603-1868 AD)
Demotion and Symbolism	In the Tokugawa peace, the naginata leaves mass combat and becomes honorary. The ko-naginata (more manageable) is used as a self-defense weapon and social symbol; it was common in female dowries. The shogunate prohibits large weapons but allows the continuation of the art; dojos emerge and representation in ukiyo-e popularizes the image of the onna-bugeisha.
1890s
Revaluation and Organization	Revival of interest in martial arts amidst the growth of Japanese national sentiment. Founding of the Dai Nihon Butokukai (1895).
Naginata Division	The Dai Nihon Butokukai creates a specific division dedicated to the naginata in 1904.
1900s — 1936
Female Education	Naginatajutsu is introduced in colleges and universities for women. In 1913, middle and high schools could choose naginata as a regular subject; in 1936, it became a compulsory subject for women.
End of World War II (1945) and Post-war
Prohibition and Reinvention	Allied forces prohibit martial arts. Subsequently, a committee is formed that develops a new system, initially called gakko naginata (school naginata) and renamed Atarashii Naginata (new naginata) to differentiate it from traditional naginatajutsu.
1950s
National Federation	In 1955, the All Japan Naginata Federation (AJNF) is founded to oversee the development of modern naginata.
Reintroduction in Schools	In 1959, the government accepts the Atarashii Naginata proposal and authorizes its teaching in high schools.
1990
Internationalization	The International Naginata Federation (INF) is created due to the growing international practice of the art.
Present Day
Current Status	The naginata is today a gendai budō of a sporting nature practiced by both sexes. Its role in personal development and peace is emphasized. The main competitions are engi (patterns) and shiai (armored combat and scoring); World Championships are organized every four years. The practice has spread globally, including Latin American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay.

Nara Period (710-794 AD)

• Origin: Possible Chinese influence and use by sōhei monks.

Heian Period — 10th Century

• Use: Infantry and defense against cavalry; blade 30–60 cm; shaft 120–240 cm.

Design and Anatomy: Understanding the Blend of Sword and Pole

The naginata combines elements of both sword and pole. It is not an ordinary spear, nor a simple extension of a katana: its curved blade attached to a long shaft creates a combat tool with a wide technical repertoire. Understanding its anatomy helps explain why it was so effective in experienced hands.

Essential Parts

• Ha (blade): Curved, usually between 30 and 60 cm; designed for long cuts and precise thrusts.
• Ura and omote: Faces of the blade that determine the orientation of the cut.
• Mune: Blade spine; in some historical naginata, it is notably reinforced.
• Nakago: Tang that is inserted into the shaft and secured with pins or knots.
• Bo (shaft): Traditionally constructed from oak wood; length between 120 and 240 cm depending on the variant and use.
• Tsuba or grip sections: Sometimes includes reinforcements for grip; modern models feature small or adapted guards.

The combination of weight at the tip and length of the shaft creates a large moment of inertia. This allows for devastating sweeps and also rapid changes of direction if the warrior masters balance and the center of gravity.

Battlefield Tactics

On medieval plains, the naginata was used both to control terrain and to neutralize cavalry. Its techniques applied physics: sweeps that reached ankles and mounts, thrusts through armor, and cuts that exploited the blade’s angular velocity. The naginata could form part of defensive lines or mobile light infantry units.

• Against cavalry: Sweeps at the horse’s legs or the rider’s to destabilize the charge.
• Defensive formations: Semicircular or linear position to create a barrier of blades that stopped enemy advance.
• Individual combat: Use of short steps, pivots, and range control to aim for blows to unprotected areas.

Tactical Variants

The existence of the ō-naginata (longer and heavier) and the ko-naginata (shorter and more agile) responds to tactical needs. The former emphasized massive blows in formations; the latter facilitated combat in confined spaces or personal defense in domestic environments.

From Military Weapon to Female Symbol: The Onna-Bugeisha

The transition of the naginata to the female sphere is one of the most powerful stories of its legacy. In times of peace, women from samurai families maintained the techniques as a means of home defense. The weapon was adjusted: the ko-naginata was lighter, more manageable, and suitable for domestic spaces.

Figures like Tomoe Gozen have fueled the epic image of the female warrior with a naginata, although many narratives mix myth and reality. What is relevant is that the practice of naginatajutsu by women consolidated a social role: the naginata ceased to be merely a tool of war to become an emblem of status, discipline, and preparedness.

Institutionalization and Revival: From Meiji to Atarashii Naginata

The Meiji Restoration and Westernization led to the decline of many martial arts. However, nationalist reaction in the late 19th century spurred the recovery of traditions. The founding of the Dai Nihon Butokukai and the creation of a specific division for the naginata in 1904 marked the beginning of its modern institutionalization.

After World War II, Atarashii Naginata was developed, a version adapted for school and sports practice that preserved the essential technique but regulated it for safety and pedagogy. Today, this modality is regulated by federations that organize international competitions and promote mixed-gender and age instruction.

Equipment, Safety, and Modern Rules

In Atarashii Naginata, protective equipment inspired by kendo but adapted is used: men (head protection), do (torso), tare (waist and pelvis), kote (gauntlets), and, in many schools, suneate (shin guards) due to the nature of attacks directed at the legs. Naginata for practice are made of bamboo or modern synthetic materials to minimize risks.

Competition Modalities

• Engi: Pre-established patterns evaluated for precision, rhythm, and form.
• Shiai: Direct combat with armor where valid strikes to specific areas are scored.

Types of Naginata and How They Differ

To guide you through historical replicas, practice versions, and decorative pieces, it is helpful to know the classic and modern variants.

Type	Blade Length (approx.)	Shaft Length (approx.)	Use
Ō-naginata	50–60 cm	180–240 cm	Used in formations and for long-range strikes; heavy and powerful.
Ko-naginata	30–45 cm	120–160 cm	Lighter and more manageable; suitable for confined spaces and use by women.
Practice Naginata	Bamboo or synthetic blade	Adapted to standard training measurements	For Atarashii Naginata; safety and durability.

Ō-naginata

• Blade: 50–60 cm
• Shaft: 180–240 cm
• Function: Open-field combat.

Ko-naginata

• Blade: 30–45 cm
• Shaft: 120–160 cm
• Function: Personal defense and domestic training.

Contemporary Practice and Physical and Mental Benefits

The practice of naginata today combines technique, discipline, and exercise. Physically, it improves coordination, hip stability, core strength, and shoulder mobility. Mentally, it fosters concentration, calmness under pressure, and respect for tradition.

Naginata training involves learning footwork, controlled cuts, grip changes, and defensive techniques. Training emphasizes posture, economy of movement, and spatial control—skills transferable to other budō and sports.

How to Identify Replicas and Models (Without Advising Purchase)

When inspecting a naginata—whether historical, replica, or practice—there are characteristics that indicate its function and quality:

• Bo material: Traditional oak is dense and resistant; modern pieces use laminated woods or composite materials.
• Blade fixation (nakago): In historical replicas, the tang is riveted; in decorative pieces, the blade may be fixed with adhesives.
• Blade finish: Authentic blades have a forged curvature and differentiable finish; decorative reproductions often show welds or a less defined profile.
• Proportions: A practice naginata has standardized measurements; a historical piece may present unusual proportions depending on its era.

Preserving and Displaying a Naginata

Displaying a naginata requires attention: controlled humidity, a support that distributes weight, and avoiding contact with surfaces that could deform the shaft. For pieces with metal blades, light cleaning and protection against oxidation are advisable; for wooden shafts, control of insects and cracks.

• Avoid: Placing the naginata supported at one end without intermediate support.
• Prefer: Horizontal mounts with padded fasteners or vertical supports that distribute the load.

The Naginata in Culture and Imagination

The naginata traverses literature, ukiyo-e art, and popular culture as a symbol of female resilience and martial mastery. This cultural presence has helped keep curiosity about the weapon alive and sustain its practice in various contexts: educational, competitive, and recreational.

Available Replicas and Models

If you are interested in comparing models and replicas, remember to distinguish between pieces for practice (bamboo or fiber), historical replicas, and decorative objects. Each category responds to different criteria: safety, historical fidelity, and aesthetic appearance.

Resources for Further Study

For those wishing to delve deeper into technique or history, it is advisable to seek local Atarashii Naginata schools, national and international federations, and bibliography on naginatajutsu and Japanese weaponry. Participating in a dōjō allows one to experience the difference between historical theory and modern practice.

Final Words That Resonate

The naginata is an artifact with a dual life: it was a weapon of war capable of changing the course of a battle and, later, a standard of discipline and empowerment. Its transformation—from a curved blade on the edge of history to a dojo discipline—is a testament to the adaptability of martial traditions. The next time you see the silhouette of a naginata, remember that it holds centuries of technique, names of female warriors, and the will to transform skill into culture.

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