Naginata-Naoshi: The Art of Converting Naginata Polearms into Swords During the Muromachi and Edo Periods

What is Naginata Naoshi?——The Mystery of Weapon Repurposing in Japanese Sword History

"Naginata naoshi" refers to swords created by cutting away the haft from a naginata blade, fashioning a new nakago, and reworking the blade as an uchido, wakizashi, or tanto. It is a form of "suriage," but rather than a simple length adjustment, it represents a more fundamental transformation—the repurposing of a hafted weapon into a Japanese sword worn at the waist.

Naginata naoshi blades retain distinctive features of their original naginata form, giving them a unique appearance that differs from conventional uchido.

From Naginata to Uchido——Why Were They Reworked?

The Decline of Naginata and Rise of Uchido in the Muromachi Period

The naginata was a primary weapon from the Heian and Kamakura periods through the Northern and Southern Courts and early Muromachi periods. Specialized in sweeping mounted warriors from their feet, the naginata held significant presence on the battlefield.

However, from the mid-Muromachi period onward, combat styles changed. Following the Onin Rebellion (1467), urban warfare and infantry-focused combat made the long haft of the naginata unwieldy, and the uchido—the Japanese sword worn at the waist—came to prominence.

Within this shift, demand arose to "rework existing naginatas into uchido." High-quality naginata blades were too valuable to simply discard. By removing the haft and reworking the blade as a sword, the naginata found a second life.

Naginata Naoshi and Edo Period Samurai Women

The Edo period introduced another context to naginata naoshi. In Edo samurai society, the concept that "the naginata is a woman's weapon" became established, and naginata training for samurai women was considered standard.

Yet in the peaceful era with no prospect of actual combat, naginata naoshi wakizashi and tanto—reworked into forms "suitable for display"—became prized as protective implements and wedding furnishings for samurai women. The wakizashi fashioned from a naginata carried added value as "a high-quality blade forged from a naginata" and functioned as a ceremonial object signifying the status of samurai women.

Naginata Naoshi Blade Form——Differences from Conventional Uchido

Because naginata naoshi blades retain the morphological characteristics of their original naginata, they possess a distinctive appearance distinct from ordinary uchido.

Ratio of Moto Width to Saki Width (Fumabari)

The naginata blade has a basic form where "the blade width expands dramatically from the edge toward the haft." This is called the "fumabari" of the naginata. Naginata naoshi reworked into swords often retain traces of this fumabari, displaying a sharp taper where the saki width is considerably narrower than the moto width.

While a typical uchido taper ratio (saki width/moto width) is approximately 0.55–0.65, naginata naoshi may reach 0.4–0.5 or lower.

Position of Sori

The sori of a naginata is characterized by "saki-zori"—curvature concentrated near the tip. Swords reworked from naginata typically inherit this saki-zori tendency.

In contrast, conventional uchido feature koshi-zori (curvature near the hilt) or chu-zori as standard. When specialists observe saki-zori, they judge there is "a possibility of naginata naoshi."

Kasane and Cross-sectional Form

Because the naginata blade prioritized cutting power, it typically has "thinner kasane (spine thickness) and a wider edge" than ordinary uchido. Naginata naoshi often retain this thin, broad cross-sectional form.

Nakago Form

The most reliable evidence of naginata naoshi is the nakago. Because the original naginata nakago is remade (or shortened), the condition of the nakago—rust, file marks, and mekugi-ana—may suggest "post-fabrication" work. Some instances also record the naginata naoshi status in the mei.

Notable Existing Examples of Naginata Naoshi

Several celebrated examples of naginata naoshi in Japanese sword history:

Tachi "Kogite Go" "Go" is attributed to Yoshihiro of Etchu, one of the Ten Masamune Disciples, and survives as a naginata naoshi. Go's blades frequently exist as naginata naoshi, known to sword enthusiasts as "naginata naoshi by Go." The "Kogite Go" reportedly owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi exemplifies this.

Naginata Naoshi by Master Smiths of Various Eras Among swords by renowned smiths of the Kamakura and Northern and Southern Courts periods (Osafune school and Masamune school lineages), naginata naoshi are included and recognized for their value through certification as "naginata naoshi." Older naginata naoshi gain higher appraisal when their original naginata were of superior quality.

Identification Points for "Naginata Naoshi" in Authentication

Accurate identification of naginata naoshi requires the following observations:

1. Confirmation of Taper Ratio Measure the moto width and saki width; if the saki width/moto width ratio is 0.5 or less, suspect naginata naoshi.

2. Position of Sori Strong saki-zori suggests likely naginata origin.

3. Position of Yokote Suji and Kissaki Form Naginata naoshi kissaki are frequently reworked into inokubi-gata or ko-kissaki form. Those retaining the original naginata kissaki shape (also called "nama-kissaki") are particularly rare and valuable.

4. Condition of Nakago Examine the number and position of mekugi-ana and rust condition. Naginata naoshi typically have relatively short nakago.

Conclusion——Living On Through Transformation

Naginata naoshi represents the transformation of Japanese swords in response to changing times, taking on new roles while enduring through history. "Running across the battlefield as a naginata, resting at a samurai's waist as an uchido, and standing witness at a wedding ceremony as a wakizashi"——the tale of one blade's journey through these transformations gives us perspective to view the Japanese sword not merely as a weapon, but as a witness to culture.

When appreciating a naginata naoshi, feel within its distinctive taper and saki-zori the memory of the naginata that once rushed across the ancient battlefield.