Naginata sword

The edged weapons of the East are uniquely beautiful, deadly weapons made in a style unusual for a European, with a unique fighting technique and secret inheritance of knowledge and skills.

The skill of using a Japanese sword has reached our time almost in its original form. And all thanks to strong traditions. Even in the modern world there are a great many fans of the Japanese sword and the technique of wielding it. In ancient Japan, there were a large number of interesting types of bladed weapons. Among them is the naginata.

Naginata, literally translated from the ancient Japanese language of an earlier period, means “long sword” - a bladed weapon with a long oval-shaped handle and a curved blade at the end. At first glance, it may seem that this is not a handle, but a shaft, since its length can reach significant sizes, but this is not so. However, this spelling was acceptable until the mid-16th century. The thing is that at this time swords with a blade length of up to 2 meters appeared. To avoid confusion, naginata began to be written with hieroglyphs meaning “mowing sword.”

In Japanese mythology, many victories of courageous warriors were explained in the possession of a “sacred sword”; the sword was given by the gods and endowed with divine power. We were talking about an ancient Japanese weapon, externally reminiscent of a naginata.

History of naginata

The origin of the naginata is still controversial among historians.

The first mention of the naginata is found in the Kojiki book (the ancient sacred book of Japan, the oldest monument of ancient Japanese literature), which talks about its use by the sohei (Buddhist warrior monks of feudal Japan) during the Nara period (an era in the development of Japan from 710 to 794).
In works of art dating back to the years 938-947, which described the period of hostilities of that time, one can see the naginata in use by both warring parties.
In 1086, the use of this weapon in battle was first documented. At that time, warriors considered the naginata as a highly effective weapon. The active use of naginata at this time contributes to the emergence of changes in Japanese armor. To protect the warrior’s legs from blows from these weapons, special shin protection is introduced. Since the 12th century, the naginata has been included in the traditional equipment of Japanese samurai and soldiers.
According to one of the ancient legends, the naginata originated from the Chinese edged weapon dadao (Chinese halberd). During its application, it was modified in accordance with its Japanese cultural, military and craft characteristics. Proof of this are bladed weapon tips found on the island of Kyushu. The finds date back to the 2nd century BC. e – 2nd century AD e.
Another group of scholarly historians suggests that the progenitor of the naginata could be tools that were used by itinerant traders for self-defense, bandits for attack, ordinary people for slaughtering livestock, or, for example, for clearing forest roads in Japan in the 7th century. Its manufacture did not require specific materials or special skills to handle it.

Japanese weapon Naginata (Naginata) one of the rare varieties - Tsukushi Naginata

Shield on the sword handle

According to the European classification, this is a polearm Halberd with its type resembling a reed in shape. Tsukushi Naginata is the original form of Naginata, its oldest form in Japan. Apparently, the ancestor of this rare type of blade was Nata (mountain sword), namely nata () used for cutting off twigs and shoots at a considerable height. In modern Japan, similar agricultural implements are still used. We could not help but mention such a rare form as Hozu hi yari

The Sukishi (Tsukishi) Naginata was used by samurai in battle from the end of the Heian period (1185) to the Muromami period. A special feature of the attachment to the shaft was two, and sometimes three rings located on the shank of the blade (the shank was not inserted into the shaft like a naginata: Japanese antique pole weapon Ko-Naginata Kakure). Blade structure Not many examples of tsukushi-nagin have survived to this day, partly due to the long history of its use; an unfortunate fact for historians and collectors of our time is the fact that over many centuries, generations of samurai, having not found a logical use for this unique weapon, reforged blades and adjusted, so to speak, to the circumstances, i.e. received a naginata or a wakizashi sword.

We https://antikvariat-japan.ru/ have more than once posted videos on our YouTube channel mentioning rare forms of blades of Japanese samurai polearms.

Appearance of a naginata

For a European person, the naginata in appearance, for some reason, resembles a halberd. However, for a historian this question is clear; their differences are much greater than their similarities.

The naginata consists of two parts, the hilt and the blade.

The handle could reach a length of up to 2.5 meters. In cross section it has an oval shape. The handle is often made of oak or beech and varnished. Sometimes the handle was strengthened with metal rings. They could also braid the shaft with a thick silk cord. Differences in sizes depended on the personal preferences of the owner, his physical shape and fashion trends of a particular time. Currently, the most common is a shortened version of the handle, about 1.2 - 1.5 meters. Metal pointed caps could be placed on the lower end of the handle.
The blade has a curved shape and one-sided sharpening. Previously, its length ranged from 60 cm to 120 cm. The blade was wide, strongly curved and widened at the end. It was very inconvenient to deliver stabbing blows with such a weapon. Since the 16th century, the blade takes on a more familiar appearance today. Its length usually does not exceed 60 cm, mostly 30 - 50 cm, it is narrow with a slight bend. The shape of the blade may resemble a straight sword blade, or it may have an extension at the end. The blade is separated from the handle by a round guard.

Katanas

Ninja Blade

Characteristics:

Weight (in kilograms): 1
Cutting damage: 1.76
Blunt Damage: 0
Attack Bonus: +2
Defense Bonus: -4
Cost (upon purchase): 75,547
Cost (on sale): 11,332

Location: Can be picked up from Dimak, who lives in the Ninja Tower.

Katana

Characteristics:

Weight (in kilograms): 2
Cutting damage: 2.2
Blunt Damage: 0
Attack Bonus: +4
Defense Bonus: -4
Cost (upon purchase): 188,870
Cost (on sale): 28,330

Location: Can be picked up from Emperor Tengu, who lives in a city called Cargo.

Katana without tsuba

Characteristics:

Weight (in kilograms): 1
Cutting damage: 2.2
Blunt Damage: 0
Attack Bonus: +6
Defense Bonus: -6
Cost (upon purchase): 188,870
Cost (on sale): 28,330

Location: Can be picked up from General Jan in Ash Dome III.

Wakizashi

Characteristics:

Weight (in kilograms): 1
Cutting Damage: 1.98
Blunt Damage: 0
Attack Bonus: +2
Defense Bonus: -2
Cost (upon purchase): 94,435
Cost (on sale): 14,165

Location:

Can be picked up from Lady Kana, who lives in Port North.
Can be picked up from Mistress Grace, who lives in the Southern Slave Farm.
Can be picked up from Mistress Ren, who lives in the Slave Farm located in the Heng region.

Topper

Characteristics:

Weight (in kilograms): 4
Cutting damage: 2.42
Bludgeon Damage: 0.2
Attack Bonus: 0
Defense Bonus: 0
Cost (upon purchase): 56,660
Cost (on sale): 8,499

Location: Can be picked up from the Rhino found in Ash Dome II.

Nodachi

Characteristics:

Weight (in kilograms): 8
Cutting damage: 2.64
Blunt Damage: 0
Attack Bonus: +4
Defense Bonus: -4
Cost (upon purchase): 226,644
Cost (on sale): 33,996

Location: Can be picked up from the Savant who lives in the House of Skin - Headquarters.

Design features of the sword

Naginata is mistakenly sometimes called a European halberd, but this is fundamentally incorrect.

According to the European classification, the naginata is classified as a pole weapon, but in the East it is a sword. According to the Japanese classification, weapons with a blade length of more than 15 cm are classified as swords.
The oval shape of the handle has its purpose. It serves to determine the direction of the blade, which is very convenient for quick interceptions and rotations during combat.
The shortening of the length of the naginata handle over time from 2.5 to 1.2-1.5 meters had its reasons for this. In battle, this size shows greater combat effectiveness. Shortened naginatas are currently used in naginatajutsu classes.
It is believed that a weapon should exceed the height of its owner by 30-40 cm to be effective in defense and attack.
The pointed caps on the handle (ishizuka) served not only as a counterweight to the heavy blade, but were also used in battle to deliver crushing blows to the enemy.
To reduce the overall weight of the sword, the blade has fullers - these are longitudinal recesses to lighten the structure while maintaining its strength.
The narrow and slightly curved blade of a modern naginata makes it possible to deliver piercing blows.
The blade is fastened to the handle by means of a long shank (its size is always approximately equal to the length of the blade itself with possible slight deviations, both smaller and larger), that is, the principle of fastening is the same as with ordinary short swords. A special slot is made in the handle, into which a shank is inserted, which has several holes for fastening to the handle. This entire structure is secured on top with metal rings, sometimes complemented by a tight winding of thick silk threads. Only one of the ancient representatives of the naginata had an eye, approximately in the 10th century; later they were abandoned and they switched to the fastening method like that of swords. No one knows why everything turned out this way, only today the shank is attached to the handle with a bamboo pin.

Many Japanese swords have a common design and manufacturing technology. This probably made it possible not only for Japanese edged weapons to survive centuries later, but also to preserve their uniqueness and national character.

We are Asians

But let's move on to practice. So, the lesson begins. We are given training naginatas - they differ from real combat ones in that the blades are not steel, but made of bamboo. I estimate the weight of the weapon - a little lighter than its European counterparts, but it makes a strong impression. Daria shows the main stances - there are more of them here than in bayonet fighting, which is somewhat similar to naginata-do. The biggest difference is that in Europe it is customary to face the enemy with only your left or right shoulder during a fight (depending on the fighting school), but in naginata you can change the position, choose one that is more convenient for yourself and less convenient for the enemy.

Next, the practice of strikes and defenses begins. The weapon is long, so it allows you to hit the enemy in almost all sectors - in the head, body, and legs. This means that everything has to be protected at once. Again, not only the blade, but also the hilt of the naginata is used for protection - something that is almost impossible to see in European schools.

After independent practice, work in pairs begins. My partner and I take turns striking each other - in a strictly defined sequence to prevent injury. This is an important stage, because this is how basic skills are consolidated - how to react to enemy attacks, so as not to think about it in a fight, but to do everything automatically. Anyone who has practiced fencing or martial arts knows that in battle you don’t have time to think about defense, the body itself must react correctly.

This kind of work takes quite a lot of time. My arms, legs and body were already pretty tired from the unusual movements. But, when the lesson is nearing the end, I can’t resist asking Daria for sparring. She agrees, we go to put on armor. Which are worth mentioning in particular. Those who have practiced kendo (or at least know it from movies) can imagine what this armor looks like - it looks like medieval samurai armor. The hard “do” breastplate, “kote” hand guards, “tare” belt and “men” helmet protect the fighter even from the most powerful blow of the enemy. Those who practice seriously also have a pouch on their waist with the name and name of the club - of course, I’m not allowed to have that yet.

So we put on our armor and, at Daria’s command, we converge. I admit, it was very difficult. My naginata skill level is zero, it’s almost impossible to compete with an experienced fighter. And it’s unusual to move in such armor. It's not that they are uncomfortable - quite the opposite. But still, as an adept of classical European fencing, I am accustomed to others. Plus, the constant change of enemy stances is confusing. And while I realized that I myself could use this to my advantage, I missed a lot of offensive blows.

But perhaps the most difficult thing was different. I repeat, I am more accustomed to European fencing. And there it is accepted that after a blow or a thrust reaches the enemy, the fight is suspended. The judges announce who has earned points, and the fencers prepare to continue. This is not the case with the Japanese - even if you hit the enemy, the fight does not end. And you can immediately get a few more hits. Which is highly welcome, as it demonstrates fighting spirit. To be honest, I was never able to overcome this barrier until the end of the sparring.

But all good things come to an end. We greet each other with a traditional bow, and I go to take off my equipment. And I finally realize that I have become acquainted with an original discipline - I have never tried anything like it before.

Naginata fencing perfectly develops reaction, the ability to quickly make the right decision, calculate forces and determine the right moment for a jerk. And, of course, it gives you the opportunity to feel like, albeit briefly, a medieval Japanese samurai.

Alexey Butsaylo

All articles by the author

31 March 2022, 14:16

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Naginata combat capabilities

The naginata is a versatile weapon. It combined all the strongest aspects of a sword, a spear and a long pole. A warrior with this weapon could inflict slashing and piercing blows on the enemy, while keeping him at a considerable distance from himself.

The ancient naginata was not convenient for piercing blows, however, it had high cutting properties due to the strong bend and width of the blade. It was believed that the commoners, who were its first owners, tried to cut off the enemy’s legs, while not letting him get close to them and thus protecting themselves from the blows of the enemy’s sword.

But the ancient heavy naginata had a powerful chopping blow; the blade, curved and sharpened on one side, was ideal for wide cutting arcuate movements. It was used to cut off the arms or legs of an equestrian enemy or damage his tendons, since the armor in these places was weak, or to harm or kill a horse, as well as to finish off a fallen rider.

The naginata is not designed to deliver a powerful blow from top to bottom to the head and it is difficult to deliver a targeted blow, for example, to hit a gap in the visor, as a European halberd can do. At the same time, stunning blows to the enemy’s head, even if he was wearing a helmet, were still very noticeable; it is unlikely that the enemy remained conscious after them. In general, the naginata is considered more maneuverable and lighter than the European halberd.

The design features of the naginata combine the techniques of both a sword and a spear in fencing techniques. Like a sword, the naginata has an oval shaft, and not round, like a spear. This shape makes it easier to orient the direction of the blade in battle. Also, with an oval handle, it is more convenient to chop and parry even the fastest blows, for example, from a spear or sword. A warrior with a naginata could cut and stab at different levels and along different trajectories.

The naginata guard could additionally have a metal crossbar, straight or curved upward, this element helped to repel enemy blows. Shortened naginatas were used as throwing weapons, with serrations made on the blades.

Before the Heian era in Japan (794 - 1185), the naginata was used as a weapon only by foot soldiers. During the warrior period (from 1181 to 1185), riders also began to use these weapons, since they were effective in destroying enemy horses and inflicting serious injuries on the mounted enemy. It did not go out of use and actively continued to be used during this period in battle by infantrymen; the naginata even contributed to the appearance of elements of leg protection in armor, which was not previously in demand.

The wide capabilities of the naginata required good physical preparation of the warrior, especially his hands and forearms. The weapon can be thrown from hand to hand, and was used to perform various circles and figure eights.

In the hands of an experienced fencer, the lower end of the handle with its tip also became dangerous. They could carry out various pokes at the enemy, fight back, distract attention, and then deal a serious blow with a sharp blade. The sharp tip could be used to inflict piercing and slashing blows. With the middle part of the naginata, the warrior could block the enemy’s blows or push him away. The long handle of the naginata made it possible to fight at a decent distance and was effective in fighting several opponents at the same time.

The capabilities of the naginata are clearly presented in one of the oldest monuments of Japanese literature from the late 15th to early 16th centuries, “The Tale of Yoshitsune.” Arkady Strugatsky was able to professionally convey the living original language of that time. This is how it describes the battle of the main character of the work by Minamoto Yoshitsune, who became a participant in the feudal warriors of the 12th century. “He chopped up and down, pierced the bellies of horses, and cut off the heads of fallen riders with blows under the helmet, or stunned them and cut them to death. He cut to the right, to the left and around himself, and not a single person could approach him to grab him face to face. Benkei rushed about in a mad rage, striking in all directions. Having dispersed the attackers, he stuck the tip of the naginata into the ground, leaned on the shaft and fixed his eyes on the enemies, filled with anger.”

Nioh Guide - Best Starting Weapons

PP-93

Nioh lets you choose two starting weapons. In the future, you can use whatever you want. But at the very beginning of your passage, you need to choose for yourself the best possible set with individual bonuses. In other words, you should choose a weapon that you really intend to use one hundred percent.

There are five types of weapons in the game:

1. Sword - starting bonus +1 to courage;

2. Double swords - starting bonus +1 to skills;

3. Spear - starting bonus +1 to health;

4. Ax - starting bonus +1 to stamina;

5. Kusarigama - starting bonus +1 to agility.

The “+1” bonus in the early stages of the game is a great gift, because each weapon initially comes with 5 points. You should choose weapons that complement each other as much as possible.

Swords are universal weapons that do not cause too much damage and act neither quickly nor slowly. Not a particularly large damage radius. The Courage bonus increases your stamina, so don't forget about combos.

Dual Swords - have weak damage, but provide fast speed and a wide range of attacks. Requires special skills, and especially experience and dexterity.

The spear is an ideal choice for beginners. It keeps enemies at a distance, deals a lot of damage to them, and works great against multiple opponents at once. But it is relatively slow and ineffective in hard-to-reach places. The spear increases your health, thereby making you more resilient.

Axes are the strongest category. They deal the most damage, but do it extremely slowly and at a very short distance. The stamina bonus increases your health and carrying capacity.

Kusarigama is the most advanced weapon. It's fast and has a decent range. However, it does little damage, which is compensated by its high level of agility. An excellent combination for experienced players. But if you are a beginner, then avoid it.

Several starting combinations:

1. Spear + ax = increases health, the ability to cause a phenomenal amount of damage, ideal for beginners;

2. Spear + double swords = can be used as a backup weapon in confined spaces, better to focus on the spear;

3. Spear + sword = somewhere between the two combinations above and for those who are not comfortable with weapons, which sacrifices dexterity for power;

4. Sword + double swords = a lot of stamina gives you a lot of breathing room, you swing faster and block enemy attacks more often

Of course, you can also try using magic, since no decisions in Nioh are final. The game has a convenient system for changing combat specialization.

Possession technique

The technique of wielding these weapons is called naginatajutsu and is a traditional Japanese ancient art. The history of its origin is not exactly known. Perhaps it is based on the techniques that the Chinese used with their guan dao weapon. Or the samurai independently came to such a technique, trying, based on the principles of swordsmanship, to increase the radius of destruction of the enemy by increasing the size of the handle.

Historians studying the ancient forms of Japanese martial arts claim that at the time of the first mention of naginata (712 AD), there were more than 400 schools studying this technique in Japan.

The concept of this technique is to strengthen the body and form the right spirit (mind) through naginata exercises. Through practicing naginatajutsu, a person strives to improve himself.

This type of martial art requires a lot of stamina and coordination. The naginata technique relies on strong forearms, hands and wrists. If these muscles are poorly trained, then in battle the warrior will quickly get tired and become an easy victim. In combat, both hands were used and they were very mobile relative to the shaft. This made it possible to change the distance to the enemy and strike from different angles and change the direction of the attack. By holding the weapon in one hand and periodically picking it up with the other hand in different places, it was possible to strengthen the blow. Hands constantly slide freely along the handle, actively intercepting the weapon. In battle, the warrior used both the blade and the handle, even its middle part. Such an eastern fighter with a naginata could only be resisted by an opponent with firearms or several opponents with spears at the same time.

A special feature of owning a naginata is the technique of juggling it. The constant throwing of weapons from one hand to another, deceptive blows, various rotations - all this confused and frightened the enemy. An experienced master could freely intimidate, confuse, and then defeat even the most attentive enemy.

By quickly changing the position of the blade, it becomes possible to deliver a slashing blow comparable to a blow from a sword. A warrior with a naginata must master the skills of wielding a sword, since when defending against an enemy armed with a sword, the technique is based on predicting his actions.

When defending against a warrior with a spear, an important point is the art of quickly spinning and intercepting the naginata. Do not forget that a naginata is heavier than a spear and its blade is much longer than the tip. Therefore, for successful defense, the speed of use of these weapons must be at least at the same level. In this case, the tip of the naginata handle was actively used to distract the enemy in order to find a convenient moment to deliver a cutting blow with the blade, for example, to the throat.

A skilled fighter, even if he is not tall, can control an area of up to 35 m2 in battle, acting like a hurricane, carrying a naginata with a meter-long blade and a one and a half meter handle.

Nowadays, there are a large number of schools that teach naginata techniques, where naginatajutsu is practiced in the form of a modern martial art, named by analogy with the weapon of the same name - naginata. This is a standardized combination of all the old styles. Competitions are held in naginatajutsu. Schools of this type of martial art are widespread at higher educational institutions in Japan.

A naginata for training often has a length of 210-225 cm. A special feature of the equipment when practicing naginatajutsu is additional protection for the legs. This is due to the fact that some of the techniques are aimed specifically at hitting the lower part of the body.

Today, this type of Japanese martial art is gaining momentum in our country. The Russian Naginata Association has been operating since 2022. The International Federation operates, its branches are open in many Western countries.

Currently, the art of mastering the technique of fighting naginata has two directions. This is a demonstration of the correct technique and the fights themselves. Competitions are held not only in Japan, but throughout the world.

Currently, older schools of martial arts that practice more martial forms of naginatajutsu remain active, among them Araki Ryu, Tendo Ryu, Jikishinkage ryu, Higo Koryu, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, Toda-ha Buko Ryu and Yoshin ryu, some of they operate outside of Japan.

The prospects for the development of naginatajutsu give every reason to claim that in the near future it will be able to compete with fencing.

Application

The technique of working with this weapon made it possible to strike the enemy with a weight, or confuse him with a chain, and then attack with a sickle.

In addition, it was possible to throw the sickle itself at the enemy, and then return it using a chain. Thus, kusarigama was used in the defense of fortresses. The extremely high complexity of learning to use this weapon is successfully compensated by its combat versatility: the kusarigama can be used as a cutting, piercing, crushing or even throwing weapon.

The art of fighting with this weapon is called kusarigamajutsu.

It takes thousands of hours of training to achieve a masterful level of kusarigama. First of all, it is necessary to practice “maki” - the technique of wrapping a chain around an enemy’s weapon. For such a skill, you need a very subtle sense of the enemy’s attack, at the moment of which, for example, when raising a sword and subsequent blow, you need to approach the opponent. Judging distance and getting the spin right is crucial, as the slightest mistake can result in a warrior beating himself up. But, in addition to such subtle points, a fighter working with a kusarigama will have a significant advantage in a fight due to the variety of possibilities for using this weapon.

Most warriors found the kusarigama to be a very specific weapon, and some even considered its use dishonest due to the combined nature of the weapon. Perhaps the amount of time required to master kusarigama was the most important factor limiting its popularity.

However, in the possession of this type of weapon, in addition to the difficulty of mastering, there was one more flaw - to effectively use the kusarigama, and therefore to defeat the enemy, it was necessary to have as much free space as possible, since it was necessary to effectively deploy the chain in order to capture the enemy’s weapon with it, and then attack him with a sickle from the front or pick him up with a blade from the back. It was precisely this flaw that the skilled swordsman Araki Mataemon, who fought with the kusarigama master Yamada Shinryukan, noticed and used in a duel. The first lured the enemy into a bamboo grove, where the lack of free space prevented the second master from using his deadly weapon.

Major milestones in the history of the naginata

One of the first to use the naginata technique was the Yamabushi - hermit monks in Ancient Japan. It is assumed that these weapons were used to protect themselves from the bandits they encountered during their travels.
It is also believed that naginata was actively used by sohei (Buddhist warrior monks during the period of feudalism in Japan). Although until today it is not clear whether this weapon was the main one or just one of the types of weapons of that time.
Despite the impressive size and weight of the weapon, the naginata is considered one of the “female” types of Japanese edged weapons. Although it would still be more correct to say that the naginata was a suitable weapon for a woman.

In the Middle Ages in Japan, a female warrior was not uncommon. However, in an earlier period, it was believed that the naginata was best suited for a woman protecting herself and her home. Due to the impressive size of the weapon, it was possible to keep the enemy at a considerable distance, thus compensating for the lack of male strength, height and weight. But only aristocrats could afford to study the technique of fighting with naginata. Very quickly, for a woman, the ability to wield this weapon became an indicator of status. Naginata could become part of a wealthy girl's dowry. It was believed that during periods when the husband was absent from home, the wife could alone, using the naginatajutsu technique, protect her home from bandits.

Since the 15th century, the traditional Japanese martial arts school has introduced a mandatory program for mastering the naginata fighting technique. The requirements for girls were as strict as for boys; no concessions were made to anyone. It was believed that in order to become the ideal wife of a samurai, a woman must not only master home economics and know how to sew, but also possess the naginatajutsu technique, which cultivates willpower in her. By the age of 18, the Japanese woman had perfectly mastered the technique of fighting naginata, which they had been learning since the age of 12.

An excellent example of female samurai, renowned for their naginata fighting skills, is a striking episode that occurred in 1201, when 3,000 female warriors, led by the naginata-wielding Gozen Hangaku, defended their Toeizakayama castle from 10,000 male warriors of a rival clan.

Studying battle sites in Japan, scientists came to the conclusion that about 30% of the remains belong to women. The woman was not required to participate in battles, she was required to learn to protect her home, herself and pass on the skills to her children. The main duty of a samurai woman was considered to be serving her husband. The code of rules of the Bushido samurai in Japan held up the example of such women "who were able to rise above the imperfections and defects inherent in their sex, and to display a heroic fortitude that could be worthy of the bravest and noblest men."

By the 18th century, due to the increased popularity of firearms, the naginata gradually began to fade into the background, acquiring the status of a ceremonial weapon or becoming a family heirloom. However, she periodically appears in battles (in 1868 and 1876). At that time it was used only by women.
In the period from 1868 to 1912, Western influence reduced interest in the national art of war, and the naginata was gradually forgotten.
From 1926 to 1989, the naginata was used as a training weapon, mainly as an element of physical education for girls, to strengthen their spirit and to provide a sense of security in case of physical weakness. At the end of World War II after the surrender of Japan, national forms of military martial arts were banned for five years. Only since 1950 did the skill of using the naginata become a sport rather than a military matter.
The All-Japan Naginata Federation has been operating since 1955. Everyone has the opportunity to master this ancient art form.
For modern Japanese youth, the skills of using the naginata are a prestigious sport.

Naginata did not bring anything unusual into the history of edged weapons, but at the same time it became an undoubted symbol of the Japanese warrior. It has been revived in competitions, including at the international level in naginatajutsu, and has undoubtedly become a popular object in popular culture. Mostly video games. But everything is extremely clear when each manufacturer adds a piece of national culture to his work.

For example, Japanese anime video games. But in recent years, naginata has reached the West. Thus, American manufacturers use naginata in their product, like one of the weapons in a video game.

Excerpt characterizing Kusarigama

The command of the left flank belonged by seniority to the regimental commander of the very regiment that was represented at Braunau by Kutuzov and in which Dolokhov served as a soldier. The command of the extreme left flank was assigned to the commander of the Pavlograd regiment, where Rostov served, as a result of which a misunderstanding occurred. Both commanders were very irritated against each other, and while things had been going on on the right flank for a long time and the French had already begun their offensive, both commanders were busy in negotiations that were intended to insult each other. The regiments, both cavalry and infantry, were very little prepared for the upcoming task. The people of the regiments, from soldier to general, did not expect battle and calmly went about peaceful affairs: feeding horses in the cavalry, collecting firewood in the infantry. “He is, however, older than me in rank,” said the German, a hussar colonel, blushing and turning to the adjutant who had arrived, “then leave him to do as he wants.” I cannot sacrifice my hussars. Trumpeter! Play retreat! But things were getting to a point in a hurry. The cannonade and shooting, merging, thundered on the right and in the center, and the French hoods of the Lannes riflemen had already passed the mill dam and lined up on this side in two rifle shots. The infantry colonel walked up to the horse with a trembling gait and, climbing onto it and becoming very straight and tall, rode to the Pavlograd commander. The regimental commanders gathered with polite bows and with hidden malice in their hearts. “Again, Colonel,” said the general, “I cannot, however, leave half the people in the forest.” “I ask you, I ask you,” he repeated, “to take a position and prepare to attack. “And I ask you not to interfere, it’s not your business,” the colonel answered, getting excited. “If you were a cavalryman...” “I’m not a cavalryman, colonel, but I am a Russian general, and if you don’t know this...” “Very well known, Your Excellency,” the colonel suddenly cried out, touching the horse, and turning red and purple. “Would you like to put me in chains, and you will see that this position is worthless?” I don't want to destroy my regiment for your pleasure. - You are forgetting yourself, Colonel. I do not respect my pleasure and will not allow anyone to say this. The general, accepting the colonel's invitation to the tournament of courage, straightened his chest and frowned, rode with him towards the chain, as if all their disagreement was to be resolved there, in the chain, under the bullets. They arrived in a chain, several bullets flew over them, and they stopped silently. There was nothing to see in the chain, since even from the place where they had previously stood, it was clear that it was impossible for the cavalry to operate in the bushes and ravines, and that the French were going around the left wing. The general and the colonel looked sternly and significantly, like two roosters preparing for battle, at each other, waiting in vain for signs of cowardice. Both passed the exam. Since there was nothing to say, and neither one nor the other wanted to give the other a reason to say that he was the first to escape from the bullets, they would have stood there for a long time, mutually testing their courage, if at that time in the forest, almost behind them, there had not been the crackle of guns and a dull merging cry were heard. The French attacked soldiers who were in the forest with firewood. The hussars could no longer retreat along with the infantry. They were cut off from the retreat to the left by a French chain. Now, no matter how inconvenient the terrain was, it was necessary to attack in order to pave a path for ourselves.

The background to the appearance of kunoichi

Immortalized in Takeda stone!

The legendary Japanese commander and daimyo (prince) Takeda Shingen never knew the bitterness of defeat, covering his sword with immortal military glory, because he always went one step ahead of the enemy.

Mochizuki Chieme is the head of the kunoichi school!

He received the main operational information from female shinobi. When the most famous master of espionage of that time, Mochizuki Moritoki, died in the Battle of Kawanakajima in 1561, his widow Mochizuki Chieme did not follow the existing tradition of mourning her husband in a monastery, but decided to fight under the patronage of her uncle, the same Takeda Shingen, who was leading the fight for the unification of Japan . The Mochizuki clan has long been involved in intelligence activities.

pregnancy, and the young widow learned something during her husband’s lifetime. Tieme created and led the school of female ninjas, who went down in history under the poetic name “kunoichi” - “deadly flowers”.

Since the Mochizuki family has since ancient times controlled the activities of the yamabushi and miko monks (female mediums who performed the duties of diviners at Shinto shrines, as well as attendants at temple ceremonies) in the territory of the province of Shinano (now Shigata), Prince Takeda came up with a brilliant idea, according to which Chiome Mochizuki was to train a group of well-trained miko girls who, in addition to the usual tasks of espionage, surveillance or running errands in the area of Kai (now Yamanashi), where the possessions of Prince Takeda were located, could also be used in the province of Shinano (now Shigata).

trained girl fighter

Strategically, this province was especially important, as both Takeda Shingen and his rival Uesugi Kenshin saw it as an important strategic springboard for their future conquests. During his reign, Takeda placed great importance on the service of his loyal ninja infiltrators. For the most part, he recruited them from the ranks of his opponents. The kunoichi were just another link in his chain of informants, and a very important link, sometimes providing invaluable information.

Sometimes girls were simply bought from ruined peasants, and in the person of the kunoichi abbess they found a caring mother and a strict teacher. In the eyes of the peasants, such an abbess was deified, because she was a woman who warmed dozens of orphans with the warmth of her heart.

At the first stage, children were instilled with a sense of boundless devotion in gratitude for food and shelter, then they learned the basics of obtaining and transmitting secret information, spreading rumors and destroying the enemies of their adoptive mother. As a result of many years of training and artificial sterilization, poor orphans turned into deadly weapons, whose charms no man could resist.

The main thing in their training was the ability to manipulate men, to use their weaknesses to their advantage. Deep knowledge of psychology, acting talent, subtle intuition - these are the main weapons of a female ninja. Of course, this does not mean at all that a kunoichi could not use methods of physical influence - but about them and their specifics below.

Kunoichi training and their secret activities

On a cold winter night at the Kaidomena Mountain Pass, the young kunoichi Masako came across a pack of hungry wolves in a dark, dense forest. Not wanting to insult the kaiken blade with the blood of an unarmed animal, she pressed her thumbs into her palms with a “tight squeeze,” squared her shoulders and walked towards the wolves. Fascinated by the unprecedented powerful internal energy, the animals tucked their tails between their legs and did not dare to attack the extraordinary girl...

Ninja girl

The kunoichi girls were fluent in different types of weapons. The silken folds of their clothes hid the shine of shuriken (throwing stars), and sharpened hairpins were hidden in their elaborate hairstyles. One injection - and the soul of the warrior in love with the kunoichi went to the Buddha.

No one knew their earthly names, only Plum Blossom, Dancing Sakura, Heavenly Azure, Shining Pearl... Long practice with heavy weapons rubbed calluses on the palms, and after training fights bruises and abrasions could inevitably remain, especially on sensitive and delicate female bodies.

Therefore, the emphasis in women’s preparation for a deadly fight was placed on something else.

Primarily, attention was paid to the refined aspects of close combat (taijutsu) and the use of hidden, surprise and small weapons (hibuki, shikomibuki and kobuki).

Ambush tactics, methods of removing sentries or guerrilla warfare techniques suitable for male ninjas were replaced in the training of women by manipulation skills and intuition training due to their greater inclinations in the field of practical psychology when meeting a male enemy.

Their main weapons were resourcefulness and flexibility, dexterity and speed of movement, accuracy and cunning... And, of course, female cunning - these are qualities very suitable for a kunoichi entering into an uncompromising duel with an enemy or defending her honor and life.

The kunoichi's arsenal was huge, but the kanzashi were their favorite weapons. In many adventure books of that time, the phrase “she grabbed the hairpin from her hair with a reverse grip and prepared for battle” is often repeated. “Kandzashi” was made from wood, brass, cupronickel, sometimes treated with poison so that even the slightest scratch would become fatal.

The girl could instantly send an enemy to the next world with a special fan with double paper walls, between which poisonous powder was poured, sprayed towards the victim.

"Kanzashi" - hairpins and murder weapon

A “sensu-tessen” fan made of thin paper soaked in poison, which is difficult to tear, but cuts like a blade.

Another famous weapon was the 70-centimeter manrikigusari chain with weights at the ends or the naginata halberd. More fantastic were the cat's claws - "nekode", something like thimbles with a 2-centimeter claw made of hardened steel (borrowed from the musicians of the traditional kato instrument), which could easily rip open the stomach, tear out a piece of meat and even pierce the skull. Moreover, many girls grew their own nails and, treating them with special solutions, brought them to a state of incredible hardness.

Cat's claws - "nekode"

The most popular self-defense weapon of medieval Japanese women – ten-centimeter thick needles with tassels made of silk threads – was also used “invisible”, they were worn in a whole set on the left side of the belt in tiny paper sheaths. Kunaichi knew perfectly well what vulnerable point to drive them into.

There were also “spitting” needles with a triangular cross-section, which were blown from a paper tube directly into the victim’s eye. However, in the hands of an experienced ninja, any object turned into a deadly weapon. A sharp blade or a poisoned arrow could suddenly jump out of the staff of a harmless nun; a gentle geisha could instantly cut her throat with a sheet of paper or tickle her until her last breath with her hair.

Kunoichi knew how to do without weapons at all, using the “death touch” technique to special points on the head and spine.

Weapons in the past are what shoulder straps are today

setto – ritual sword

The ritual attitude towards weapons originated in Japan long before the emergence of samurai culture, back during the “State of Yamato” in the 7th century. The weapon of a professional warrior is not only an object for fighting, but also an “assignment” - an order to be courageous, invincible, and to possess sacred power. For example, when a military leader went on a campaign, the sovereign handed him a setto - a ritual sword, after which the military operation was considered to have begun. The military leader could no longer return home even to say goodbye to his family; he went to fulfill his duty.

The weapons granted by the ruler symbolized titles, honors, and awards. Often, special types of swords or pikes performed the same functions in the Yamato army as shoulder straps do today.

But we won’t find anything purely “samurai” in relation to weapons here. The samurai only aestheticized and transferred to a higher ritual level the occult approach to weapons that existed hundreds of years before them both in Japan and in China.

Jo

(Japanese 杖 jo) - a light, smooth wooden pole, length (most often 128 cm) depends on the type of martial art, thickness (24-30 mm) - on the school and personal preferences. Used as a weapon in many Japanese martial arts, there is also a separate art of using jo - jojutsu (Japanese: 杖術 jo:jutsu, “art of the pole”)

Jō delivers direct punches (突き tsuki), cutting blows from top to bottom (袈裟斬り kesagiri), oblique blows to the body and legs of the enemy (cutting) (Japanese 討ち uchi), and also blocks from blows with hands and other weapons .

A correctly delivered jo strike can lead to death.

bokken

bokken

- in Russian, often pronounced boken (Japanese: 木剣), a wooden training sword. It was introduced into use by the sword master Miyamoto Musashi for training. It was also used in fights so as not to kill your opponent. Although in skillful hands, a bokken (also called a bokuto, Japanese 木刀 “wooden sword”) killed and maimed no worse than a sharpened katana.

Bokkens are made from oak, beech, hornbeam and other dense woods. They are often impregnated with varnish, stain or wood resin for greater density and weight. The total length of the bokken is approximately 95-105 cm. The length of the handle is about 25-27 cm, the length of the blade is 76-78 cm. The bokken must be strong enough to withstand strong blows to anything, as well as repelling an attack from another bokken or jo.

A well-placed blow to a person with a bokken can lead to death. The great Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645) often used bokken in actual fights, killing his opponents in most cases. The tip of the blade is most dangerous when delivering slashing blows.

In Japan, bokken are treated with great respect, almost like real weapons. When carrying a bokken on an airplane, the passenger must check it in as baggage. And wearing it without a special case by the Japanese themselves is equivalent to carrying a bladed weapon.

Varieties:

“male” (Japanese 男子木剣 danshi bokken), distinguished by a relatively thick handle and “blade”, straightness and a thick wooden guard (tsuba).
“female” (Japanese: 女子木剣 joshi bokken), the most commonly used option. It is distinguished by its curvature and lightness. Often used with a plastic guard and sheath (for example, in Iaido).
“training” (Japanese 素振木剣 suburi bokken) or suburito, is distinguished by thickening on the tip side, thus imitating the balancing of a real sword.

Different schools use different types of bokken for training:

In Katori Shinto Ryu, it is customary to use a bokken with less bending, sometimes without it at all. Thicker and heavier.

The bokken used in Iwama Ryu (as well as the bokken used in other aikido styles), unlike the previous one, has a more graceful shape and a more pronounced bend.

The bokken in Kashima Shin Ryu (as well as in most kendo schools), unlike the previous two, has the closest resemblance in shape, balance and feel to a real katana.

Links[edit]

Manuchohr Moshtagh Khorasani (2008). The Development of Controversies: From the Early Modern Period to Online Discussion Forums, Volume 91 Linguistic Insights. Studies in Language and Communication. Peter Lang. p. 150. ISBN 978-3-03911-711-6.
Evans Lansing Smith, Nathan Robert Brown (2008). The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythology, The Complete Idiot's Guide. Penguin. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-59257-764-4.
^ abc Thomas A. Green, Joseph R. Swint (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. ABC-CLIO. p. 158. ISBN 9781598842449.
Encyclopedia of Technical, Historical, Biographical and Cultural Martial Arts of the Far East, Authors Gabriel Habersetzer, Roland Habersetzer, Amphora Publishing, 2004, ISBN 2-85180-660-2, ISBN 978-2-85180-660-4 P. 494
Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior, by Clive Sinclair, Globe Pequot Publisher, 2004, ISBN 1-59228-720-4, ISBN 978-1-59228-720-8 P.139
Draeger, David E. (1981). Integrated Asian martial art
. Kodansha International. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6.
Ratti, Oscar; Adele Westbrook (1999). Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Castle books. paragraph 241. ISBN 978-0-7858-1073-5.
Friday, Carl F. (2004). Samurai, War and the State in Early Medieval Japan. Rutledge. paragraph 86. ISBN 978-0-203-39216-4.
Friday (2004), page 8 fuck 7
Adolfson, Mikael S. (2007). The Teeth and Claws of the Buddha: Monastic Warriors and Sohei in Japanese History. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 130 -133. ISBN 978-0-8248-3123-3.
Adolfson (2007), pp. 137, 140
Ratti, Oscar; Adele Westbrook (1991). Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan
. Tuttle Publishing. item 484. ISBN 978-0-8048-1684-7.
Katz, Mandy (2009). "Choose Your Weapon: Exotic Martial Arts". New York Times
. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
↑
Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Thomas A. Green, Joseph R. Swint, ABC-CLIO, 2010 P.161
Katz 2009

They knew everything about...

Lurking danger!

For most men, the female form evokes a thrill of lust. If you like a certain woman too much and want her too much, it can become a weakness and make you mad. Therefore, Kunoichi had excellent mastery of earth techniques (sex). They knew many ways of sexual pleasure and were superior in their knowledge to most modern masseuses.

Koshoku ho (literally, “methods of showing sensuality and arousing voluptuousness”) is, so to speak, the “first step,” the basis from which to begin. In order to seduce a man, it was first recommended to awaken sensual attraction (shikijo) in him, best of all, by appearing before him in the role of a keisei (courtesan) and becoming attractive to the “object being developed.” After the object fell into the arranged nets, it was implied that a kunoichi could develop his success in one of three ways.

The first, simplest and “roughest” method is called shushoku ho or “the ability to seduce a drunken person.” As the proverb says, “what’s on a sober man’s mind, a drunk man’s on his tongue,” and the ninja woman, who mastered the special art of maintaining conversations on any topic (ubaguchijutsu - lit. “the art of chatting like an old woman,” “the art of gossip”), achieved her goal quickly and without any problems.

Sometimes, to enhance the effect, narcotic “additives” could, of course, be used in drinks or food, so that in the morning the chatterbox would not even remember not only what exactly he said, but also the beauty that he was telling all this. If necessary, deadly poison could also be used.

Kunoichi with poison in a cup

The second method, which is comparatively longer in time, is called inyoku, (literally translated as “lust”). This method is based on influencing a man’s physical senses: vision, hearing, smell, etc. Its essence is that a man really wants the insidious kunoichi physically and cannot do anything about it, burning with carnal lust.

All his thoughts are occupied only with how to master it in the shortest possible time, and for this he is ready to do anything. Here, the ability to take the recommended sexual positions, talk and breathe in a special way, as well as use special perfumes, and even food and drink comes to the fore for the seductress... If you promise to give such a madman a night of love, he can give anything for it, even go to betrayal and treason...

insidious beauty that is difficult to refuse!

The most complex, but also the most productive (and long-term) method of obtaining the necessary information is the third method - iroonna (danshoku) ho (“the method of the mistress (gay lover)”), based on the art of aijozutsu or, in short, jojutsu - “the art of love.” The most complex schemes for the development of relationships, tactics of love dates, the art of looking, the art of crying and rejoicing correctly and at the right time and, of course, sophisticated sex techniques - this is an incomplete arsenal that uses this type of strategy based on miryokujutsu.

Among other things, the kunoichi girls were excellent kissers.

The kiss that cost your life!

This pleasant procedure in their execution usually ended very disastrously. If it was necessary to kill, the kunoichi would pull out the root of the tongue with a sharp jerk, and the man would literally begin to choke on his own blood. And the painful shock that occurred at the same time completely made it impossible to react and after a few seconds led to death.

Free Jasper Dew cocktail

But the most insidious invisible weapon, of course, remained poisons. Mochizuki Chieme knew the secrets of more than 300 potions of various properties: medicinal and tonic, relaxing and stimulating, intoxicating and stimulating, and, of course, poisons and antidotes. If a slow-acting poison was required, tea was brewed with the poetic name “Gekuro” - jasper dew.

Premium quality Gyokuro tea

It was poured into a bamboo vessel and buried for forty days to rot. The resulting black pulp, 2-3 drops per day, was mixed into food. A healthy person fell ill after 10 days, died after 70, the weak died earlier, and not a single doctor could determine the cause of death. Zagarashiyaku, poisons that kill on the spot, were also readily used. For example, boil the seeds of unripe plums and peach in equal parts, boiled together for a long time. If you want - for food, if you want - spray it in the air. There is only one outcome.

“Blood” poisons were used to lubricate arrows, needles and “death stars” - shuriken. It was possible to roast the giant Japanese toad “hikigaeru” with a 22-centimeter body on a spit. The poison will flow out of the glands, ferment - and the victim will be paralyzed.

There were a lot of sedatives. “If you dry hemp in the shade and grind it into flour, then boil it, add it to tea: one sip will make you fall asleep, two or three will cause a feverish sleep with fever, and after a few days of such a treat you will go crazy.” This is what a recipe from an ancient treatise looks like.

Bo (staff)

(staff) (Japanese 棒: ぼう) - a long staff made of wood or bamboo, sometimes made of metal or sheathed in metal. Used in martial arts as a weapon. The wooden weapons associated with it can be considered jo and hanbo (half bo).

A full-size bo with a length of 180 cm is called rokushakubō. This name comes from the Japanese “bo (‘tree’) six roku shaku long,” that is, a tree six shaku long. However, it can be longer - 270 cm (kyu-shaku-bō). The thickness of the bo is usually 3 centimeters. Sometimes its edges are slightly narrower than the central part and such a pole is called elliptical. This section helps increase the impact force.

As a rule, bo is made from hard woods such as white oak, hornbeam, and beech. Although, despite this, it is also made from bamboo. For certain training tasks, rattan is used to increase the impact power of metal.

The birthplace of bo is attributed to Okinawa, in feudal Japan. Presumably its ancestor was Tenbit - the Japanese analogue of a rocker.

Today it is used in the Japanese martial art - Bojutsu.

Sweet little house

The kunoichi's home was also a very unique structure. An ordinary one-story house had three floors inside, full of secrets and traps.

Here is a house that is full of surprises!

Most of the riddles were located in the right, residential part. In addition to the main entrance, one could get inside through a small barred window, opened in a cunning way using a sheet of paper. Right at the entrance there was the first trap: a secret staircase behind a sliding panel, upon which the pursuer would fly into a deep pit with sharpened bamboo stakes.

The fleeing kunoichi knew the safe way, disappearing behind a secret revolving door or into an inconspicuous closet with a staircase retracting behind it to the second floor. In the same closet there was a secret underground passage into the forest. Between the first and second floors there was another one: hidden, cramped (kunoichi trained to fight in small spaces), connected by secret passages and a rope ladder to other rooms. Weapons were kept here. The floors in the attic could collapse under the feet of uninvited guests.

Even in a small shed there was a special niche with red clay, from which the blinding powder “metsubishi” was made. To this day, all this can be seen in the Chieme museum estate, reconstructed by the descendants of the Mochizuki family.

The martial art of kunoichi, the only one that combines physical training, psychology and female physiology, has been preserved and developed to this day. Modern “deadly flowers” wield more than 150 types of the most modern weapons, and developing science has made it possible to improve methods of collecting information. Well, in the matter of psychological processing of opponents, they still have no equal, and they can commit murders without leaving any traces on the victim’s body.

Tanto

Tanto

(Japanese 短刀 tanto, literally “short sword”) - a samurai dagger. “Tan to” sounds like a phrase to the Japanese, so they don’t perceive tanto as just a knife (knife in Japanese is hamono, Japanese 刃物). Tanto has a one-sided, sometimes double-edged blade with a length of 25 to 40 cm. If the length of the blade is longer, then it is already a short wakizashi sword.

The tanto was used only as an auxiliary weapon (for finishing off, cutting off heads, hara-kiri, etc.) and never as a knife - for this purpose, there was a small kogatana knife worn in conjunction with the tanto or wakizashi in special grooves in their sheaths (often incorrectly called kozuka, although kozuka is only its handle).

Tantos were used mostly by samurai, but were also worn by doctors and merchants as a weapon of self-defense. Women of high society sometimes also wore small tantos (called kaiken) hidden in the obi (kimono belt) for self-defense or suicide. In addition, tanto is still used in the wedding ceremony of members of the imperial family.

A dummy tanto with a wooden, plastic, or sometimes blunt metal blade is used for training in martial arts such as aikido.

Wakizashi

Wakizashi

(Japanese 脇差) is a short traditional Japanese sword. Mainly used by samurai and worn on the belt. It was worn in conjunction with a katana. Blade length - from 30 to 61 cm. Total length with handle 50-80 cm. Single-sided blade, slight curvature. The wakizashi is similar in shape to a katana. It was made with zukuri (decoration) of various shapes and lengths, usually thinner than that of a katana. The degree of convexity of the wakizashi blade's cross-section is much less, so compared to the katana, this sword cuts soft objects more sharply. The wakizashi handle has a classic section, the same as that of a katana, but shorter in length.

Often, wakizashi and katana swords were made by one master; the swords had high-quality design and the same style. This pair of swords was called daisho, which translated means “long - short” or “big - small”. And if swords were made by different masters, then they could no longer be called daisho. In a pair of daisho, the wakizashi was used as a short sword (shoto).

To comfortably carry several swords (katana, wakizashi and tanto), the Japanese came up with various carrying methods. The swords were secured using a sageo cord, which was threaded through a kurigata bracket, which was located on the front side of the scabbard. Such methods of fixation prevented the sword from falling to the ground or getting lost, and at the same time leaving the torso free.

Samurai used the wakizashi as a weapon when the katana was unavailable or unusable. In early Japanese history, the tanto dagger was worn instead of the wakizashi. And also when a samurai put on armor, instead of a katana and wakizashi, tachi and tanto were usually used. Upon entering the room, the warrior left the katana with the servant or on the katanakake. The wakizashi was always carried with him and was removed only if the samurai remained for a long period of time. The Bushi often called this sword "the guardian of their honor." Some fencing schools taught the use of both katana and wakizashi at the same time.

Unlike the katana, which could only be worn by samurai, wakizashi was allowed to merchants and artisans. They used this sword as a full-fledged weapon. Also used for the ritual of seppuku.

All photographs in our articles about Japan are from my personal collection.

This article is the property of the Internet project Japanese Antiques (https://antikvariat-japan.ru).

We express only a personal opinion about the Japanese Naginata polearm, based on many years of experience, assistance in selecting collections and communication with the original source, so to speak - the keepers of the history of this ancient country of Nippon. Over the long period of living in this country, we were able to meet a considerable number of respected people, albeit already in old age, among whom, fortunately, there were quite a few people who were fanatically devoted to their country, who loved and appreciated the history of their country and were well versed in martial arts . About some of them, of course, with their permission, we dared to write small articles on this site.

All Naginata swords presented on the site are exclusively original, brought from Japan. All Japanese bladed weapons (Japanese Naginata) are real antique items from Japanese auctions. Please contact us with any questions about antique items presented on this site, we will advise you, and for more detailed information, we will call you.