Additional History of the
Naginata
The naginata is a halberd-like weapon that was used extensively
in feudal Japan. Described by some as simply "a sword on the end of
a long pole", the naginata was actually a sophisticated weapon which
required considerable skill and stamina to use effectively in
battle. It consisted of a curved blade, 1 to 2 feet in length,
mounted onto an oak shaft that was usually 5 to 9 feet long. The
actual dimensions of a naginata were primarily dependent on personal
preferences and battle conditions. Attached to the butt end of the
shaft was a sharp end-cap, or ishizuki, which was used to pierce
between the plates of an attacker’s armor.
Although the exact origin of the naginata is not known, three
theories are prominent today. The first states that the naginata
evolved from a simple farming tool used for chopping. In the early
part of the third century BC, farmers attached sharp stones to the
end of long wooden shafts. Later, metal was used in place of the
stones.
The second theory is that the naginata evolved directly as a
weapon. The first prototype blades were most likely made of bronze,
followed later by steel. This theory sets the development of the
naginata well after the introduction of metal to Japan from the
Asian continents (after 200 BC).
The third theory is that Chinese halberds were carried to Japan
during early migrations, sometime around 200 BC. By the Han and Wei
Dynasties (approximately 200 AD) these weapons closely resembled the
type of naginata eventually used by Japanese warriors. Some
historians believe that, although the Chinese may have invented the
weapon, it was later developed, utilized, and refined by the
Japanese.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its origin, it is a
well-known fact that the naginata was being fully utilized in battle
by the 10th century. Cavalry battles had become more important by
this time, and it was difficult to repel mounted warriors simply by
means of the bow, arrow, and sword. The naginata proved to be a
superb weapon for close-up fighting; it’s sweeping arcs of
destruction were used to cut a horse’s legs and kill its rider once
the horse fell to the ground. During the Gempei War (1180), in which
the Taira clan was pitted against the Minamoto, the naginata rose to
a position of particularly high esteem. Because of its extensive use
at that time, changes were made in the type of armor worn by
warriors. The addition of "sune-ate", or shin guards, came into use
directly because of injuries inflicted by naginata-bearing warriors.
The naginata was also used extensively by women warriors. It is a
common misconception that women of that era were submissive and
subdued. In reality, they were highly trained warriors who were well
versed in the use of the naginata as well as many hand to hand
fighting techniques. One of the most famous women warriors was
Itagaki. Famous for her naginata skills, Itagaki was in charge of a
garrison of 3,000 warriors at the Torizakayama castle. The Hojo
shogunate dispatched over 10,000 warriors to crush them. Itagaki led
her troops out of the castle directly into the Hojo warriors,
killing a significant number of them before finally being
overpowered. Off of the battlefield, the naginata was also used by
women as a means of protecting themselves and their children while
the men were away in battle or working in the fields. Because of the
size and reach of the weapon, a woman could keep an attacker at a
safe distance.
The introduction of firearms into Japan in the mid-17th century
significantly altered battlefield strategies, and the naginata
gradually became a weapon used solely by women for protection in
their homes. Naginata training was also used as a means of exercise
and character development. During the Edo period, a time of relative
peace in feudal Japan, all Japanese women were required to master
the naginata by age 18. By this time, naginata were usually ornately
decorated, and were considered an essential part of a woman’s dowry.
Today, the martial art of Naginata is still practiced extensively
in Japan and elsewhere. Many different "styles" or schools (ryu) of
Naginata are in existence, with Atarashii Naginata and Jikishin-kage
ryu being the most popular. Other popular styles are Tendo ryu and
Toda Ha Buko ryu. Regardless of the style, all naginata training has
at its core the goal of developing respect for traditional etiquette
and spiritual training.
Copyright © 1996 Southern California Naginata Federation.