Naginata

Naginata
Information
Weapon type:	lance
Designations:	Naginata
Use:	Weapon, traditional weapon
Creation time:	approx. 12th century
Working time:	til today
Region of origin / ; author:	Japan , Bushi
Distribution:	Japan , today worldwide
Overall length:	approx. 205-260 cm
Blade length:	approx. 85-100 cm
Handle:	Wood, horn, lacquer
Particularities:	different blade shapes
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The Naginata [ nagi'nata ] ( Japanese 薙刀 ‚mowing sword ' or outdated 長刀 ‚ long sword' ) is a Japanese polearm , which has similarities to the European glaive . It can be detected in Japan since the 12th century and was used by monks ( Sōhei ), warriors ( Bushi ) and foot soldiers ( Ashigaru ) as well as by female warriors ( Onna-bugeisha ).

description

The Naginata basically consists of a 120–150 cm long shaft and a 45–100 cm long blade, which can be processed and curved in various ways. As with the katana, the blade was forged in a special way. At that time there were different varieties of naginata, or crooked-bladed lances . The most common lance of this time had a curved blade up to a meter long in the upper part, the shaft was wound with special cords for reinforcement and provided with metal fittings.

use

A fighter with a Naginata has a long range and can do tremendous damage with the blade. Due to the high speed at the end of the blade, sweeping and very strong blows are possible, and both sides of the weapon can be used as both an attack and a block surface. In earlier times, the Naginata was waved in large circles - mostly with the aim of mutilating an attacker's horse and then attacking the fallen rider. However, the length of the weapon is a disadvantage in narrow spaces, as there is little space to operate. The Naginata is also unsuitable for use in infantry formations. With the rise of mass armies in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was therefore replaced by the spit ( yari ).

There are different styles of Naginata taught in a large number of schools around the world today. Like sword fighting and archery, Naginatadō is one of the oldest martial arts in Japan. Today Naginatadō in Japan is mainly taught in girls' schools. Recently it has also been gaining popularity in the USA and, to a lesser extent, in Europe .

literature

George Cameron Stone , Donald J. LaRocca: A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times. Courier Dover Publications, 1999, ISBN 978-0-486-40726-5 (Reprint), p. 463 f.
Clive Sinclaire: Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior. Lyons Press, 2004, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 , p. 110.