Histoire
The naginata is a Japanese polearm with a curved blade, used by warrior monks and samurai on the battlefield. Over the Edo period it became the weapon taught to women of samurai families for home defence.
Old schools (koryu) still teach naginatajutsu, while modern "atarashii naginata", organised by the All Japan Naginata Federation founded in 1955, is a sport with armour, like kendo.
Le saviez-vous ?
- Tomoe Gozen, a legendary woman warrior of the 12th century, is often shown with a naginata.
- Modern naginata has two events: kata in pairs (engi) and full sparring (shiai).
- Targets include the shin (sune), which kendo does not allow.
Glossaire des techniques
- Men
- head strike
- Sune
- shin strike
- Kote
- wrist strike
- Do
- body strike
- Tsuki
- thrust to the throat
Formes
Shikake-oji (pair forms)
Armes et équipement
- Naginata
- polearm with curved blade (bamboo or wood in practice)
- Bogu
- armour with shin guards (suneate)
⚔ In the Arsenal
NaginataHakama
Figures clés
- Tomoe Gozen (12th century) — legendary female warrior
Sources: All Japan Naginata Federation · International Naginata Federation