NAGINATA

The Naginata


In ancient mythology, Japan was known as "the land of a thousand spears" or "thousand lancers." Early model launches appear to come from Chinese forms. A source hoko mentioned as one of the oldest was introduced in Japan. In fact there are many references to the ancient martial arts masters traveled to China and studied the management of the hoko.

The naginata is formed by a sheet of two to four feet attached to a stick longer. It is believed that at some point a warrior could have tied his sword to a cane to get better results at a considerable distance. Like most Japanese long-handled weapon, the naginata has a tang (part to be introduced by the staff) as or longer than the leaf itself. The stick was made of wood, in many cases of oak, with oval to give direction to the edge of the blade. The Tsukushi naginata (Nara period, 710-784) seems to have been the first model of this weapon, in which the blade was attached to the shaft by a metal clamp. Since then, he began to have greater importance and influence in the battlefield.

Important exponents of the naginata were warrior monks (Buddhist monks) known as Sohei. These monks wore armor under his robes and carrying his naginata, frequent pilgrimages to Kyoto, then capital city, carrying the sacred omikoshi superstitious to force the court to accede to their demands.
In the fiercest battles between the warriors of the Minamoto and Taira clans, the naginata was widely used because it provided a lot of versatility in fighting large-scale and large venues.

In the Kamakura period (1185-1333) began to develop many ryu (schools) of this weapon. Some of these ryu are Tenshin Katori Shinto Ryu Shoken, Buko Ryu, Ryu Hoshin, Gassan Ryu, Jikishin Kage Ryu, Toda Ryu, and so on. According to E showing Taiheiki maki, a painting of that period, some naginata had leaves six feet long. At no Goshin Samurai Tajima (Kamakura period) was known for his skill with this weapon that deflected arrows and using your Shobuzukuri naginata.

The naginata was formerly called "spear of women", it was assumed that women warriors must know to handle with skill at the age of eighteen. Kesa Gozen, one of the women Yoshitsune (hero in the twelfth century) was one of those many who fought for the name of your Lord. Her naginata is preserved even today in Asakusa. Around 1200, a woman named Itagi became very famous for his skill with the naginata on the battlefield. A few centuries later, the naginata (and lighter) is taken by women as a defensive weapon for the Samurai came home when in season.

In 1330 Yakushimaru Kurando was under orders Masashide Kusunoki, a high-ranking samurai loyal to the Emperor, who had been captured and locked in a residence called Kaza In. For their skills and knowledge in martial arts and Ninjutsu, Kurando was sent to his rescue. He entered the residence at night, dressed to the Emperor of one woman and fled the halls called hizume, which were designed to produce a loud noise when walking on them for security reasons. At that time, the noise alerted the guards and went after Kurando, which placed the Emperor in a safe place and faced them all with his naginata. Kurando broke free of the guards, less than a Samurai officer who confronted him with his katana and naginata movement of Kurando cut, so it had to fight with his gun like a bo. In this way, beat the guard and the Emperor was able safely to Kyoto.

Like many other weapons, the naginata was evolving and changing their ways and strategies to the needs and requirements of the war.
It is known that reinforcements were also changing with the growth in the use of the naginata. Many of the protections in the lower body were introduced in response to increased effectiveness of the naginata, highly effective in fighting large-scale, especially to defend against the attacks of the cavalry. Naginata is known to cut the legs of horses and riders to reach the warriors. From its origins to the fifteenth century, the naginata was one of the most popular weapons among the warriors, and that it could inflict many wounds the enemy, even if it wore armor.

With the introduction of firearms in 1543, the naginata lost effectiveness as well as many other weapons. Anyway, continued to be used with new additions to its effective employment strategy.
Monks carrying Sohei Naginata

According to Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Ninja of the naginata was lighter than the samurai. Weight will vary by the type of wood and leaves smaller than the Ninja used. Soke for understanding that this weapon is best to have a good workout in and Sojutsu Bojutsu; Naginatajutsu is an extension of these two weapons. This represents the "trilogy of three hearts" among the "three guns." The nine basic types of Naginatajutsu are called "Bi Naginata Jutsu Kihon Kyuho."


Another weapon similar to the naginata in many respects appeared around the middle of the Muromachi period (1334-1477). Call nagamaki, its name means "long sheath" (as naginata means "sword moves down") and many have a stick wrapped in a criss-cross, as the handle of a sword. The leaves are heavy and long sometimes thinner at the back to reduce weight. is affixed to a stick four feet long and were usually fitted with a tsuka and tsuba. This weapon was widely used in the Momoyama period, Oda Nobunaga still favorite (1534-1582) and his troops edge.
Nagamaki

On the other hand, it is also interesting to refer to bisento. The same is similar to the naginata, but with his stick blade wider and therefore heavier and stronger, was used to crush and then cut down. According to the story of Ryu Kukishinden, the teachings of management were borne Tetsujo bisento-So to Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru. In conclusion, it is interesting to analyze the importance that was given to arms in ancient Japan, there's simply more to defeat the enemy confrontation. Many clans put weapons and armor in special rooms within temples. The spiritual value of these elements made their traditions endure over time and contributed to today to become great martial arts. Paradoxically, all of which were mainly used for war, now collaborating with its history and tradition for the development and enlightenment of human beings.

Therefore, as Soke Masaaki Hatsumi says "Bufu Ikkan" and move forward with our hearts.