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The art or techniques (jutsu) of wielding the Naginata (halbeard).  Naginatajutsu is compried of learning how to perfect the use of the Naginata in personal combat or battle and focuses on perfecting the skills and techniques necessary to maximize the users chances of killing their opponent with the Naginata.  This is contrasted with Naginatado which is the way (do) of wielding the Naginata and focuses on developing the spiritual self through perfecting the interaction with the Naginata.

The art or techniques (jutsu) of wielding the [[naginata]] (halberd).

 

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".  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|sohei]], 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#Early Modern Age|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.  It did not entirely leave the field, however, and techniques for its use were passed down in some of the martial schools, or ryuha, which were passing down specific fighting techniques.

 

By the [[Japanese Eras#Edo Period|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.

 

In the [[Japanese Eras#Modern Age|Meiji]] period, naginatajutsu was included in the curriculum of public schools.  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 '-do' 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.

 

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.

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[[Category:Bujutsu]]

[[Category:Bujutsu]]