Types and Structure of the Naginata—The Complete Overview of the Weapon Passed Down by Female Martial Artists
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What is the Naginata? — Its Place in the Sword Classification System
The naginata (薙刀) is a type of Japanese sword featuring a curved blade attached to the end of a long shaft, and is a long-shafted weapon with a structure in which the blade and shaft are integrated. The name "naginata" is said to come from "nagu" (薙ぐ) — the action of sweeping and cutting widely — or from an archaic term "nagatana" (長刀) that became corrupted.
In terms of sword classification, the naginata belongs to the category of "long-shafted weapons" (nagae-buki) and is distinguished from "sidearms" (haitou) such as the tachi and uchigatana. In modern times, the characters for "naginata" and "choutou" (長刀, long sword) are sometimes used interchangeably, but strictly speaking, choutou may also refer to a long sword according to the literal meaning of the characters.
The Structure of the Naginata — The Blade, Shaft, and Ferrule Sections
The main components constituting a naginata are as follows.
- Blade (natane): A curved single-edged blade, typically 1-2 shaku (approximately 30-60 cm) in length. It has a spine (mune) and an edge (ha), and the curve (sori) varies by period and school. The tang (nakago) is inserted into the shaft and fixed with a mekugi. The blade shape is diverse, ranging from elegantly curved forms like the "nadenaginata" to nearly straight forms like the "sugunaginata."
- Shaft (e): Made of wood, with an oval cross-section being standard. The length typically reaches 5-8 shaku (approximately 150-240 cm) in a general naginata. Unlike the tsuka of a tachi or uchigatana, the grip portion is often not wrapped in cloth or leather, though this varies by school.
- Ishizuki: A metal guard attached to the end of the shaft. Used to protect the shaft when thrust into the ground and to counter attacks from behind.
- Hantachi and habaki: The naginata also has a stop piece equivalent to the habaki, which reinforces the connection between the blade and shaft.
Historical Transition of the Naginata — From the Heian Period to the Edo Period
The origin of the naginata is said to date back to the late Heian period, with records of use by souhei (warrior monks) appearing in the earliest historical sources. Historical texts record that armed monks at major temples such as those in Nara and Mount Hiei used long-shafted weapons to counter mounted samurai.
During the Kamakura and Nanboku-cho periods, the naginata was widely used on the battlefield as the primary weapon of infantry. It excelled in the "nagu" action of sweeping the legs of mounted warriors and was well-suited for group deployment in close-quarters combat. During the Nanboku-cho period of upheaval (14th century), enlargement progressed, and the "oo-naginata" emerged.
With the advent of the Muromachi period, the spear (yari) gradually began to replace the role of the naginata on the battlefield. The spear was easier to manufacture and exceeded the naginata in length, making it better suited for group deployment in organized unit warfare. Accordingly, the naginata ceded its position as the primary weapon of the battlefield to the spear.
During the Edo period, the naginata established a cultural position as "a woman's weapon," something that female members of the samurai class learned for self-defense and martial arts practice. As naginata practice became established as part of bride training for daughters of samurai families, the concept of "the naginata as a woman's weapon" became deeply rooted in society.
Types of Naginata — Classification by Form and School
The naginata can be classified into several types based on its form and school of use.
- Nadenaginata: A form in which the blade curves gracefully and is common in ancient naginata from before the Muromachi period. The "curve" of the blade is pronounced, making it well-suited for sweeping motions.
- Shoubu-zukuri naginata: A form with a cross-section resembling an iris leaf, featuring a shinogi-zukuri construction that combines strength and sharpness. Frequently seen as a practical item among samurai.
- Suekotou and Shintou period naginata: Naginata crafted by sword smiths, some of which have blade quality on par with the tachi and uchigatana. Most of the surviving naginata as works of art date from this period.
- Modern naginata (for training): Training equipment specialized for modern naginata-do competitions. Bamboo or wooden "bokutou-naginata" are used in training, and the wearing of protective gear is standard in matches.
The tomoe-gata naginata and shizuka-gata naginata are regarded as the two major forms of the naginata.
| Form | Characteristics | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Tomoe-gata naginata | A bold form with a pronounced curve in the blade | Said to derive from Tomoe Gozen, a female warrior renowned in the Genpei War |
| Shizuka-gata naginata | An elegant construction with a restrained curve | Named after Shizuka Gozen, the concubine of Yoshitsune |
In the classical schools, the two major stream divisions of Tomoe-ryu and Shizuka-ryu correspond to this difference in form, and the degree of curve in the blade has served as a guide for determining the lineage of a school.
Modern Naginata-do — Transmission as a Women's Martial Art
In modern times, the naginata is transmitted as a systematized martial arts competition known as "naginata-do." The All Japan Naginata Federation (established 1955) oversees it, with practice conducted at schools and martial arts halls throughout the country.
A characteristic of naginata-do is that over 90% of its competitors are women. This is the result of a cultural tradition of "a woman's martial art" dating back to the Edo period being carried forward to modern times. However, the number of male competitors has increased in recent years, and mixed-gender competitions are being developed.
The dan ranking system is certified by the All Japan Naginata Federation, with a system of titles from shodan to hachidan, renshi, kyoshi, and hanshi established. International tournaments are also held, with active promotion efforts in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The preservation and research of ancient naginata as works of art are undertaken by organizations such as the Japanese Sword and Art Preservation Society, and several naginata have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. Sword collectors apply the same artistic evaluation standards to naginata as they do to the tachi and uchigatana.
The number of competitors is estimated at approximately 50,000 according to the All Japan Naginata Federation's tabulation, making it one of the largest women-centered martial arts competitions in the country. In the classical schools, traditions such as Jikishin-kage-ryu and Masaki-ryu continue to transmit the naginata arts to this day, forming the foundation of the modern naginata-do technical system. Internationally, the International Naginata Federation oversees organizations in various countries, with competition and promotion activities conducted in multiple countries including Europe, North America, and Asia.
