A WARRIOR’S WEAPON

A closer look at the naginata

Tendo-ryu bujutsu remains a popular form of martial art in Japan, primarily with women, with a number of public displays given in the form.

The naginata is believed to have been the preferred melee weapon for female warriors as it allowed them to use their centrifugal force to equalise any fight against stronger opponents.

The blade of a naginata could be up to one metre long and could also be mounted on a shorter handle to be used like a more traditional sword.

While this blade looks similar to that of a sword, the blade could also be much wider and curved, ideal as a cutting weapon to be swung around and used for middle-distance combat.