Naginata
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The naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a polearm and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades (nihonto) The naginata was originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei (warrior monks). The naginata is the iconic weapon of the onna-musha, a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese nobility.
Description
Although it is sometimes compared to a European halberd or archa, this comparison is far from the reality of the purposes for which these weapons were developed, since the naginata is a cutting weapon, while that a halberd or archa is more like an ax with a long shaft and a point at the end. The dimensions, weight, and proportions of these weapons are so different that they cannot be equated.
As a military weapon, the naginata was very important on battlefields, where it was initially carried by infantry to defend against cavalry, although in later periods of Japanese history it was also adopted by combatants on horseback. The technique of fighting with the naginata is called naginatajutsu and is present in many styles of koryū budō (or kobudō).
It was after the Second World War that the Atarashii Naginata (lit. “new naginata”) arose, a modern martial modality (gendai budō) of a sporting nature, which was created based on Naginatajutsu, analogous to the development of kendo (modern modality) from kenjutsu (samurai way of fighting with the sword).
History
Historically, the use of the naginata in battle corresponds to the end of the Heian period. Where it was first used by the Sōhei (warrior monks) and the Yamabushi (mountain monks), spreading among the samurai clans and the ashigaru (peasant soldiers). The military weapon was robust. Its curved blade generally had a length of between 30 to 60 cm. although there are types of naginata of more than one meter. The blade was attached to a shaft made mainly of oak, which was 120 to 240 cm long. The butt of the shaft, called ishizuki, was a very important part of the naginata. It was made of metal and was used to hit or pummel enemies.
Over time, the Japanese way of fighting changed. During the Sengoku period, the easier to use and longer range Yari (spear) took the place of the naginata, which became rarely used on the battlefield. In this same period, the Naginatajutsu began to be practiced by the ladies of the samurai family, as a form of defense, in the turbulent period of wars.
In the Edo period, the naginata became a status symbol for women in samurai families. They were passed from mothers to daughters and often formed part of the marriage dowry. Many martial arts schools of this period maintained Naginatajutsu in their curriculum, although almost none specialized solely in it, but rather was a secondary component in those systems.
The Naginatajutsu, along with other martial arts, fell into disuse due to the westernization produced after the Meiji restoration. But the strong growth of Japanese national identity in the 1890s produced a revaluation in traditional martial arts. In 1895 the Dai Nihon Butokukai was founded with the intention of promoting martial arts in Japan; which established, in 1904, a division dedicated to the use of the naginata.
During the 1900s, Naginatajutsu began to be taught in public schools and women's colleges. Starting in 1913, middle and high schools were allowed to choose it as a regular subject, until 1936 it became a compulsory school subject for the female gender.
The Allied forces, after the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II, banned martial arts in the country. The training would be reinstated gradually, until the All Japan Naginata Federation (in English: All Japan Naginata Federation, AJNF) was formed in 1955. A special committee was formed to develop a new style of Naginatajutsu, which would differ markedly from the traditional style, with the purpose of reintroducing it into public schools. For this, new techniques were developed, new training methodologies and the new style became a sport. In 1959, the Japanese government accepted the proposal and his training was authorized in the higher schools onwards. This new system was called the school naginata (gakko naginata), but was soon changed to Atarashii Naginata (new naginata) to highlight the differences from the traditional style.
Naginatajutsu today
There are various styles of Koryu Budo, which reached our days, with the naginata as part of their training. Among the main ones we can highlight Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, Suio Ryu, Tendo Ryu, Toda Ha Buko Ryu and Kashima Shinto Ryu.
In most of these styles, the naginata is practiced only in the form of katas, using wooden substitutes for the naginatas and swords.
In other cases, bogu and specially adapted bamboo naginatas are used to complement kata training with sparring, without the risk of seriously injuring oneself during practice.
In Latin America, the naginata is widespread in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay. Under the supervision of the Brazilian Naginata Association, currently directed by Sensei Yasue Morita, member of the International Naginata Federation INF.
Atarashii naginata
The atarashii naginata presents similarities to the Kendō, since both were created from ancient Japanese martial arts (the Naginatajutsu and the Kenjutsu respectively). Like kendo, the Atarashii Naginata, presents an armor (bogu) made up of a head and throat protector (men), one trunk (do), another that protects the waist and groin (tare), gauntlets (kote) and shin guards ( sunate); the latter not used in Kendō. So that the only part of the body that would be left without protection and without clothing are the feet, since they train and fight barefoot.
The rules and regulations of the atarashii naginata are issued by the International Naginata Federation – INF. Practitioners wear protectors during contact training and at championships.
Gallery
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