Naginata

The naginata (, ) is a pole weapon and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades ("nihonto"). "Naginata" were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei (warrior monks). The naginata is the iconic weapon of the onna-bugeisha, a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese nobility.
Naginata for fighting men and warrior monks were ō-naginata. The kind used by women was called ko-naginata. Since the "naginata" with its pole is heavier and much slower than the Japanese sword, the blade of the "ko-naginata" was smaller than the male warrior's "ō-naginata" in order to compensate for the lesser height and upper body strength of a woman than an armoured male samurai.
Description.
A "naginata" consists of a wooden or metal pole with a curved single-edged blade on the end; it is similar to the Chinese guan dao or the European glaive. Similar to the katana, naginata often have a round handguard ("tsuba") between the blade and shaft, when mounted in a koshirae. The 30 cm to 60 cm (11.8 inches to 23.6 inches) "naginata" blade is forged in the same manner as traditional Japanese swords. The blade has a long tang which is inserted in the .
The blade is removable and is secured by means of a wooden peg called that passes through a hole in both the tang and the shaft.
The shaft ranges from 120 cm to 240 cm (47.2 inches to 94.5 inches) in length and is oval shaped. The area of the shaft where the tang sits is the . The tachiuchi/tachiuke would be reinforced with metal rings , and/or metal sleeves and wrapped with cord . The end of the shaft has a heavy metal end cap . When not in use the blade would be covered with a .
History.
The "naginata" was developed from an earlier weapon type of the later 1st millennium AD, the "hoko yari". It is difficult to tell when the "naginata" itself first appeared; though often claimed as being invented by the "sōhei" during the Nara period, physical evidence of their existence dates only from the mid-Kamakura period, and earlier literary sources are ambiguous. The earliest clear references to "naginata" date from 1146 in the late Heian period, with one suggesting that the weapon had been recently developed. Earlier 10th through 12th century sources refer to "long swords" that while a common medieval term or orthography for "naginata", could also simply be referring to conventional swords; one source describes a "naginata" being drawn with the verb "nuku", commonly associated with swords, rather than "hazusu", the verb otherwise used in medieval texts for unsheathing "naginata".
Some 11th and 12th century mentions of "hoko" may actually have been referring to "naginata". The commonly assumed association of the "naginata" and the "sōhei" is also unclear. Artwork from the late-13th and 14th centuries depict the "sōhei" with "naginata" but do not appear to place any special significance to it: the weapons appear as just one of a number of others carried by the monks, and are used by "samurai" and commoners as well. Depictions of "naginata"-armed "sōhei" in earlier periods were created centuries after the fact, and are likely using the "naginata" as a symbol to distinguish the "sōhei" from other warriors, rather than giving an accurate portrayal of the events.
During the Genpei War (1180–1185), in which the Taira clan was pitted against the Minamoto clan, the "naginata" rose to a position of particularly high esteem, being regarded as an extremely effective weapon by warriors. Cavalry battles had become more important by this time, and the "naginata" proved excellent at dismounting cavalry and disabling riders. The widespread adoption of the "naginata" as a battlefield weapon forced the introduction of greaves as a part of Japanese armor. The rise of importance for the "naginata" can be seen as being mirrored by the European pike, another long pole weapon employed against cavalry. The introduction in 1543 of firearms in the form of the matchlock ("tanegashima") caused a great decrease in the appearance of the "naginata" on the battlefield. As battlefield tactics changed, the "yari" (spear) took the place of the "naginata" as the pole weapon of choice.
In the peaceful Edo Period, weapons' value as battlefield weapons became diminished and their value for martial arts and self-defense rose. The "naginata" was accepted as a status symbol and self-defense weapon for women of nobility, resulting in the image that "the Naginata is the main weapon used by women". A "naginata" was commonly a dowry of women of the nobility. But historical recordings describing the practice of martial arts by women are rare and uncertain. 
In the Meiji era, it gained popularity along sword martial arts. From the Taisho era to the post-War era, the "naginata" became popular as a martial art for women, mainly due to the influence of government policies. Due to this influence, the image that “spears are women's weapons” was formed.
Although associated with considerably smaller numbers of practitioners, a number of "koryu bujutsu" systems (traditional martial arts) which include older and more combative forms of "naginatajutsu" remain existent, including Suio Ryu, Araki Ryu, Tendo Ryu, Jikishinkage ryu, Higo Koryu, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, Toda-ha Buko Ryu and Yoshin ryu, some of which have authorized representatives outside Japan.
In the USA, there are an estimated 201 practitioners.
Contemporary construction.
In contemporary "naginatajutsu", two types of practice "naginata" are in common use.
The "naginata" used in "atarashii naginata", the "shiai-yo", has an oak shaft and a bamboo "blade" ("habu"). It is used for practice, forms competitions, and sparring. It is between 210 cm and 225 cm in length and must weigh over 650 grams. The "blade" is replaceable. They are often broken or damaged during sparring and can be quickly replaced, being attached to the shaft with tape.
The naginata used by "koryū" practitioners has an oak shaft and blade, carved from a single piece of wood, and may incorporate a disc-shaped guard ("Tsuba"). It is called a "kihon-yo".
Many of the "realistic "naginata"" for sale to the public are not "naginata" at all. These imitations have shorter, rounded shafts, very short blades, and screw-together sections.
Contemporary usage.
"Naginata" can be used to batter, stab, or hook an opponent, but due to their relatively balanced center of mass, are often spun and turned to proscribe a large radius of reach. The curved blade provides a long cutting surface without increasing the overall length of the weapon.
Historically, the "naginata" was often used by foot soldiers to create space on the battlefield. They have several situational advantages over a sword. Their reach is longer, allowing the wielder to keep out of the reach of opponents. The weight of the weapon gave power to strikes and cuts, even though the weight of the weapon is usually thought of as a disadvantage. The weight at the end of the shaft ("ishizuki"), and the shaft itself ("ebu") can be used offensively and defensively.
The martial art of wielding the "naginata" is known as "naginatajutsu". Most "naginata" practice today is in a modernised form, a "gendai budō" called "atarashii Naginata" ("new Naginata"), which is organized into regional, national, and international federations, who hold competitions and award ranks. Use of the "naginata" is also taught within the "Bujinkan" and in some "koryū" schools such as Suio Ryu and Tendō-ryū.
"Naginata" practitioners wear an "uwagi", "obi", and "hakama", similar to that worn by "kendo" practitioners, although the "uwagi" is generally white. For sparring, armor known as "bōgu" is worn. "Bōgu" for "naginatajutsu" adds shin guards ("sune-ate") and the gloves ("kōte") have a singulated index finger, unlike the mitten-style gloves used for "kendo".