Polearms
Naginata
薙刀
A curved blade on a shaft.
Form and name
Naginata is a Japanese polearm with a curved blade. It differs from the spear in both blade shape and historical design.
Read more: terms and context
Jutsu · technique and art
Jutsu (術) can mean technique, skill or method. In weapon terminology, we distinguish the implement from the art practised with it.
Source for the word jutsu: Kanjipedia
Tradition and context
Naginata is among the weapons discussed in Hatsumi’s Japanese Sword Fighting. This weapon type is also studied as a separate discipline outside Bujinkan.
Sources and further reading
The Met · historical naginata blade
Further reading: Japanese Sword Fighting
The museum source documents the weapon type. Its connection with Bujinkan is described in Hatsumi’s publications and practitioner sources.