Changes

==History==

==History==

According to Alexander Bennett, "the word ''naginata'' first started to make an appearance in historical literature around the mid-[[Japanese Eras#Heian Period|Heian]] period" (Bennett 2005).  He gives examples such as the ''Honchoseiki'' and ''Wamyosho''.  Early sources use different characters including 奈木奈多 (phonetic spelling), 長刀 ("long sword"), and 薙刀 ("mowing sword").  The latter set of characters is more commonly found today.

According to Alexander Bennett, "the word ''naginata'' first started to make an appearance in historical literature around the mid-[[Japanese Eras#Heian Period|Heian]] period".<ref name="Bennett 2005">Bennett, Alexander (2005), ''Naginata: The Definitive Guide'', Kendo World Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.</ref> He gives examples such as the ''Honchoseiki'' and ''Wamyosho''.  Early sources use different characters including 奈木奈多 (phonetic spelling), 長刀 ("long sword"), and 薙刀 ("mowing sword").  The latter set of characters is more commonly found today.

Naginata are commonly depicted in Heian and Kamakura picture scrolls, such as the 'Mongol Invasion Scroll' of [[Takezaki Suenaga]].  Many associate the naginata as a weapon of the [[sohei|sôhei]], or warrior monks, usually from the various temple complexes surrounding [[Kyoto|Heian-kyô]].  The famous monk [[Musashibo Benkei|Benkei]], said to be a companion to [[Minamoto Yoshitsune]], is often depicted with a naginata.  The use of the weapon is also mentioned in the ''[[Heike Monogatari]]'' (''Tales of the Heike'').

Naginata are commonly depicted in Heian and Kamakura picture scrolls, such as the 'Mongol Invasion Scroll' of [[Takezaki Suenaga]].<ref>An online copy can be found at Bowdoin: [http://www.bowdoin.edu/mongol-scrolls/ Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan]</ref> Many associate the naginata as a weapon of the [[sohei|sôhei]], or warrior monks, usually from the various temple complexes surrounding [[Kyoto|Heian-kyô]].  The famous monk [[Musashibo Benkei|Benkei]], said to be a companion to [[Minamoto Yoshitsune]], is often depicted with a naginata.  The use of the weapon is also mentioned in the ''[[Heike Monogatari]]'' (''Tales of the Heike'').

By the [[Japanese Eras|Sengoku]] period, the battlefield had changed.  They were more crowded, and the close quarters does not seem to have been hospitable to the use of the naginata (Bennett 2005).  It did not entirely leave the field, however, and techniques for its use were passed down in some of the martial schools, or ryuha.

By the [[Japanese Eras|Sengoku]] period, the battlefield had changed.  They were more crowded, and the close quarters does not seem to have been hospitable to the use of the naginata<ref name="Bennett 2005"/>.  It did not entirely leave the field, however, and techniques for its use were passed down in some of the martial schools, or ryuha.

By the [[Japanese Eras|Edo]] period, the naginata was seen as a weapon of the women of the samurai class, although it was practiced by both men and women.  The art of naginatajutsu, as well as the weapon itself, continued to evolve throughout this period.

By the [[Japanese Eras|Edo]] period, the naginata was seen as a weapon of the women of the samurai class, although it was practiced by both men and women.  The art of naginatajutsu, as well as the weapon itself, continued to evolve throughout this period.

==Atarashii Naginata==

==Atarashii Naginata==

In the [[Japanese Eras|Meiji]] period, naginatajutsu was included in the curriculum of public schools (Bennett 2005). Eventually, a committee of naginatajutsu practitioners, including teachers of [[Tendo Ryu|Tendô Ryu]] and [[Jikishin Kage Ryu]], created a system of naginata called ''Atarashii Naginata'', or 'New Naginata'.  This is sometimes referred to as ''naginatadô'', but this is technically incorrect as the All Japan Naginata Federation took the Ministry of Education's recommendation to avoid using ''-dô'' and any spiritural/nationalistic connotations that might have.  They also use hiragana (なぎなた) instead of kanji, to further distance it from the koryu styles. (Bennett 2005)

In the [[Japanese Eras|Meiji]] period, naginatajutsu was included in the curriculum of public schools.<ref name="Bennett 2005"/> Eventually, a committee of naginatajutsu practitioners, including teachers of [[Tendo Ryu|Tendô Ryu]] and [[Jikishin Kage Ryu]], created a system of naginata called ''Atarashii Naginata'', or 'New Naginata'.  This is sometimes referred to as ''naginatadô'', but this is technically incorrect as the All Japan Naginata Federation took the Ministry of Education's recommendation to avoid using ''-dô'' and any spiritural/nationalistic connotations that might have.  They also use hiragana (なぎなた) instead of kanji, to further distance it from the koryu styles.<ref name="Bennett 2005"/>

The modern atarashii naginata curriculum includes paired forms and ''shiai'' with a wood and bamboo practice naginata.  There are also paired kata using a fully wooden ''kata naginata''.  Practitioners often practice a koryu style of naginata as well (usually [[Tendo Ryu|Tendô Ryu]] or [[Jikishin Kage Ryu]]), although this is kept separate from the official atarashii naginata curriculum to avoid any appearance of favoritism.

The modern atarashii naginata curriculum includes paired forms and ''shiai'' with a wood and bamboo practice naginata.  There are also paired kata using a fully wooden ''kata naginata''.  Practitioners often practice a koryu style of naginata as well (usually [[Tendo Ryu|Tendô Ryu]] or [[Jikishin Kage Ryu]]), although this is kept separate from the official atarashii naginata curriculum to avoid any appearance of favoritism.

==Sources==

==Footnotes==

[[Category:Bujutsu]]

[[Category:Bujutsu]]