A Traditional Weapon of the Samurai
The legacy of the Naginata and female Samurai has a long and storied history in Japan, dating back as early as the Heian period (794-1185). Originally used by foot soldiers to fend off mounted cavalry, the weapon evolved over time and became a staple in the arsenal of samurai warriors. The Naginata’s design allowed for long-range attacks while also providing the wielder with the ability to strike from different angles, making it a versatile weapon on the battlefield.
The Naginata, a traditional Japanese weapon with a long curved blade at the end of a pole, holds a significant place in Japanese history and culture. Often associated with female warriors known as onna-bugeisha, the Naginata symbolizes strength, skill, and tradition. Through centuries of use in battle and martial arts practice, the Naginata has become a revered symbol of courage and resilience in samurai culture and folklore.
Female Naginata master defending against the sword. Photo Jon Braeley
The naginata rose to prominence when it was featured in the classic “The Tale of the Heike”, which is an account the Genpei War fought between the Taira clan and the Minamoto clan. Later, in the more peaceful Edo period, the naginata went from the battlefield to being a weapon that could be used to defend the home, giving rise to the popular notion that wives of noble status and samurai class would stay at home practicing naginatajutsu (naginata applied techniques). There is some merit to this, and it was not unheard of that a naginata was used as a dowry of a women of nobility
Lady Mariko armed with Naginata facing the guards (Shogun)
Empowering Women with the Naginata
In the world of martial arts, that is often dominated by men, the Naginata stands out as a symbol of both strength and grace of women when they practice traditional weapons. I am reminded of the historical position of women samurai by the portrayal of Lady Mariko in the Shogun television series. Lady Mariko, alone and armed with the Naginata, courageously fights against twenty guards as she tries to escape from Osaka castle where she is being held by the regent Lord Ishido.
Its use in battle was not limited to men, as women were also trained in Naginatajutsu to defend their homes and families. The graceful movements and precise strikes associated with the Naginata have made it a symbol of discipline and dedication in today’s martial arts community, so we set out to explore this traditional weapon in modern Japan.
In the video below we witness the girls at a local Tokyo high school practice basic technique during their Naginata warm-up competition practice. The narrator is Alex Bennett, Vice President of the International Naginata Federation and author of Naginata – A Definitive Guide, the first comprehensive English-language guide to this martial art.
High School Naginata
Today, with the steel blade replaced with wood, the naginata has taken it’s place alongside other traditional martial arts (koryū bujutsu), and practiced in the dōjō. For sparring and competitions kendō style bōgu (protective equipment) is worn.
Naginata is a popular choice for girls in school looking to include a martial art in their curriculum. I was not surprised then, in my search for a naginata instructor for the Warriors of Budo series to be recommended to Wataru Suzuki. He is a naginata instructor, teaching a girls class at a high school in the suburbs of Tokyo. Part of our interview with Suzuki sensei is below and the complete book, Masters of Budo can be purchased at Amazon.
Wataru Suzuki sensei teaching a Naginata class. Photo Jon Braeley
Can you tell us how you came to study naginata?
I started practicing in my second year of junior school. This was really because I was following my mother, who had also started practicing naginata at that time. Before I realized it, I was fully absorbed into training in naginata. Back when I started in the second year of junior school I thought it was strange that there were only girls practicing. I did not notice there were no other boys my age. I became aware that it is seen as a budō for women only after I was really into it so there was not turning back.
High school Naginata class with girls wearing protective Kendo armor
What is your Naginata practice like today?
The naginata that we do nowadays is ‘modern naginata’. However, this naginata inherited its techniques and many basic elements like ‘te no uchi’ (lit. inside of the hand; subtle way to grip the weapon; also tenouchi) from old style koryū naginata. The previous generation of instructors from the All Japan Naginata Federation practiced koryū such as Tendō-ryū and Shinkage-ryū
High school girls practice Naginata. Photo Jon Braeley
You mentioned Tendō-ryū. Do you practice koryū of naginata?
When my technique was not mature enough or should I say not completely acquired, I had a chance to observe Tendō-ryū.. Among the techniques I saw, there was one called yaechigai (lit. layered difference; a cut where the posterior end of the naginata switches from the front left side to the back right side). I thought that it could be used while using the bōgu (protective equipment). I tried it during practice and even during a competition and was able to execute it successfully. I think it was just a lucky strike, but I could do it with ‘Ki-ken-tai icchi’ (lit. agreement of spirit, sword and body as one) and good body movement so the judges in the competition raised their flags in approval. From that time onwards I have tried it many more times but most of the times it does not become a valid strike. I am still working hard on it.
Wataru Suzuki sensei wearing Kendo style armor
Do you strike the same targets as kendō?
Not all of them, no. In kendō the sune (shin) is not a target but in naginata the shin is a valid target. The naginata as a weapon was used to mow down horses and men, and cavalry soldiers. It was used for killing and wounding with a characteristic slashing attack in a descending arc. For this reason attacks in the lower part of the body like the shins are a characteristic of naginata even today. This is why the suneate (shin guard) is a valid target.
A valid Naginata strike to the head (Men) like Kendo
What are your thoughts on International naginata competitions?
During the 5th naginata World Championships which took place in Japan and also the 4th World Championship, I had the impression that the male category overseas had increased its strength considerably. If we in Japan do not train harder we might be defeated from the top positions of overseas competitors. We are organizing intensive training course and so on. It is a traditional Japanese budō so I feel that we have the basic responsibility to display techniques that can serve as role-models for other practitioners, especially those abroad.
It is not enough just to win, we must adhere to Ki-ken-tai icchi and the other principles to which naginata techniques are subject to. We are preparing a good naginata which the world can take as example. It is still not official, but I think that I will be appointed to prepare the male Japanese team to display such naginata. I am training hard in order to do that.
