About
Many websites much better than this one, have explained Naginata-do more fully, and indeed many budo books attempt to explain too. Our knowledge is therefore not original.
Prior to the Japanese Edo period, the Naginata was a very heavy, unweildy long poled weapon with a blade connected to the end, it became a long weapon of man on the battlefield.
In times of peace however, it increasingly became a weapon used by women to defend their homes whilst the men were away. Much later it became a weapon to study, and therefore important in physical education.
Chiba Shusaka did much to promote the use of a "mock weapon", the kind we see used today in modern naginata-geiko. Also commonly heard of as "Atarashi Naginata" (atarashi means "new" in Japanese)
Throughout the Meiji, Taisho and early Showa eras, Naginata-jutsu became a budo in its own right. It also become like Kendo a discipline to study in schools. The lightness of the weapon directly affected the way in which the naginata is moved about. Therefore, understand that the movements in modern Naginata, appear to be quite far removed from the classical warriors swinging their much heavier wooden/metal naginata.
Distinct in the way, that a shinken (sharp)sword is, from a bokken (a wooden training sword). Therefore many Naginata schools, have kept ties with their history, and use a much heavier all wood Naginata, for the Tendo-ryu (old style) Naginata katas. There are as with other martial arts/dicsiplines, a long history of schools, many many schools, and each lineage can claim ownership of XYZ techniques. Techiques for which certain schools kept only for themselves. To name but a few, Katori Shinto ryu, Hoshin Ryu, Ryugo ryu, all of whom had Naginata within their jutsu diciplines.
With about 500 schools of naginata at one point, it is little wonder that many people who practice some naginata kata within their own style, have a belief, their way, is the 'best way'. Different schools, saw "different" things and interpretations over how or what a naginata should be used for. All though, used it to its full length, changing the length by feeding swiftly through their hands, and using both ends. This is where it differs hugely between the spear (yari) and bo (long pole staff). For starters, its shape, is like that of sword tsuka (handle)ie. it is OVAL, and not completely round, like a bo or jo (short pole staff).
Modern naginata like many of the practiced budo, incoporates more than one single lineage of style. Seamlessly woven to be an all encompassing martial discipline.
In 1953, the All Japan Naginata Federation (under the Zen Nippon Naginata-do Remmei) was formed. Their aim was/is to promote Naginata the art as a spiritual discipline, as physical education (in schools & universities), and to bring in a sporting element (shiai/competition).
The combining of many techniques from various classical schools has therefore made it an all round budo discipline suitable for study from ages 6 to 96.
There are five basic kamae (stances)Chudan (middle posture), jodan (upper posture),gedan (low posture),hasso (upright sideways on ) and waki, (also a side ways on, but with the stick completely horizontal as opposed to upright).
Techniques from all the schools include, striking, slashing (dubious sounding word, but in action, like a long sweeping cutting action),thrusting, parrying & blocking. In watching the speed of modern competitive Naginata, it does appear as if all of these look like "hits", but the action (no matter how fast) is going to be one of the above listed techniques.
In keiko (free sparring) and shiai (combat competition) one attempts to "score" by making what would be a lethal cut (or thrust to the throat), had it been a real naginata (with a blade). Like Kendo, only certain parts of the body, ie. namely that which is covered by armour - are valid to strike/cut. So look at the armour - the body trunck (covered by the Do), head, throat, wrists (gloves !)and last but not least never to be forgotten, shins !! (covered by the sune). These are the protected (vulnerable parts) of the body.
All this point scoring however, can only be counter balanced by kata, set forms. There are 8 set forms (Kata) for the main modern Naginata-do syllabus (these could be viewed as “seitei” key/main kata).
BUT the old school, ie. Koryu there are about 200 kata !!! and only about the top (very old) ladies know anywhere near that number. It is to be handed down through the generations to learn. Many also know kata from the classical schools too, their number count are not included in the above. Zen Nihon kata and Koryu in Atarashii Naginata which is what we practice, is generally not taught until Ni-dan (2nd dan) level.
Since there is no physical contact with the weapon and the body/opponent in kata - many of the older Japanese, can continue to practice naginata well into their 70s & 80s (!) even if they are no longer able to take the rough & tumble of keiko (sparring) in armour. This is food for thought, for those who want a life long discipline to study.
It has been written with extensive research and cooperation from inside Japan, by Dr Alex Bennett (4 dan Naginata-ka). We have already ordered with few problems - it is actually shipped from Singapore (so delivery is can take between 5 weeks and 5 months, is also not unknown), but charged in US dollars. There are considerably delays if you charge to have it sent surface mail, people experiencing 2-4 months wait is not unusual. Airmail you should receive perhaps within 1 month ordering, pending how many orders there are that month. It is not necessarily the fault of Kendo World - please be patient.
Please go to the website www.kendo-world.com, by far the best and only book in English on Naginata, ancient and modern. We have lately heard rumour, it has an ISBN number, but to date, we know of no one who has managed to order through other (much quicker) means (eg. internet bookstores or even their local book store).
Prior to the Japanese Edo period, the Naginata was a very heavy, unweildy long poled weapon with a blade connected to the end, it became a long weapon of man on the battlefield.
In times of peace however, it increasingly became a weapon used by women to defend their homes whilst the men were away. Much later it became a weapon to study, and therefore important in physical education.
Chiba Shusaka did much to promote the use of a "mock weapon", the kind we see used today in modern naginata-geiko. Also commonly heard of as "Atarashi Naginata" (atarashi means "new" in Japanese)
Throughout the Meiji, Taisho and early Showa eras, Naginata-jutsu became a budo in its own right. It also become like Kendo a discipline to study in schools. The lightness of the weapon directly affected the way in which the naginata is moved about. Therefore, understand that the movements in modern Naginata, appear to be quite far removed from the classical warriors swinging their much heavier wooden/metal naginata.
Distinct in the way, that a shinken (sharp)sword is, from a bokken (a wooden training sword). Therefore many Naginata schools, have kept ties with their history, and use a much heavier all wood Naginata, for the Tendo-ryu (old style) Naginata katas. There are as with other martial arts/dicsiplines, a long history of schools, many many schools, and each lineage can claim ownership of XYZ techniques. Techiques for which certain schools kept only for themselves. To name but a few, Katori Shinto ryu, Hoshin Ryu, Ryugo ryu, all of whom had Naginata within their jutsu diciplines.
With about 500 schools of naginata at one point, it is little wonder that many people who practice some naginata kata within their own style, have a belief, their way, is the 'best way'. Different schools, saw "different" things and interpretations over how or what a naginata should be used for. All though, used it to its full length, changing the length by feeding swiftly through their hands, and using both ends. This is where it differs hugely between the spear (yari) and bo (long pole staff). For starters, its shape, is like that of sword tsuka (handle)ie. it is OVAL, and not completely round, like a bo or jo (short pole staff).
Modern naginata like many of the practiced budo, incoporates more than one single lineage of style. Seamlessly woven to be an all encompassing martial discipline.
In 1953, the All Japan Naginata Federation (under the Zen Nippon Naginata-do Remmei) was formed. Their aim was/is to promote Naginata the art as a spiritual discipline, as physical education (in schools & universities), and to bring in a sporting element (shiai/competition).
The combining of many techniques from various classical schools has therefore made it an all round budo discipline suitable for study from ages 6 to 96.
There are five basic kamae (stances)Chudan (middle posture), jodan (upper posture),gedan (low posture),hasso (upright sideways on ) and waki, (also a side ways on, but with the stick completely horizontal as opposed to upright).
Techniques from all the schools include, striking, slashing (dubious sounding word, but in action, like a long sweeping cutting action),thrusting, parrying & blocking. In watching the speed of modern competitive Naginata, it does appear as if all of these look like "hits", but the action (no matter how fast) is going to be one of the above listed techniques.
In keiko (free sparring) and shiai (combat competition) one attempts to "score" by making what would be a lethal cut (or thrust to the throat), had it been a real naginata (with a blade). Like Kendo, only certain parts of the body, ie. namely that which is covered by armour - are valid to strike/cut. So look at the armour - the body trunck (covered by the Do), head, throat, wrists (gloves !)and last but not least never to be forgotten, shins !! (covered by the sune). These are the protected (vulnerable parts) of the body.
All this point scoring however, can only be counter balanced by kata, set forms. There are 8 set forms (Kata) for the main modern Naginata-do syllabus (these could be viewed as “seitei” key/main kata).
BUT the old school, ie. Koryu there are about 200 kata !!! and only about the top (very old) ladies know anywhere near that number. It is to be handed down through the generations to learn. Many also know kata from the classical schools too, their number count are not included in the above. Zen Nihon kata and Koryu in Atarashii Naginata which is what we practice, is generally not taught until Ni-dan (2nd dan) level.
Since there is no physical contact with the weapon and the body/opponent in kata - many of the older Japanese, can continue to practice naginata well into their 70s & 80s (!) even if they are no longer able to take the rough & tumble of keiko (sparring) in armour. This is food for thought, for those who want a life long discipline to study.
NAGINATA BOOK IN ENGLISH
A totally comprehensive book about Naginata-Do, with photos, history and CURRENT Naginata-do practice (forms, techniques etc) has been written and has been available for some time.It has been written with extensive research and cooperation from inside Japan, by Dr Alex Bennett (4 dan Naginata-ka). We have already ordered with few problems - it is actually shipped from Singapore (so delivery is can take between 5 weeks and 5 months, is also not unknown), but charged in US dollars. There are considerably delays if you charge to have it sent surface mail, people experiencing 2-4 months wait is not unusual. Airmail you should receive perhaps within 1 month ordering, pending how many orders there are that month. It is not necessarily the fault of Kendo World - please be patient.
Please go to the website www.kendo-world.com, by far the best and only book in English on Naginata, ancient and modern. We have lately heard rumour, it has an ISBN number, but to date, we know of no one who has managed to order through other (much quicker) means (eg. internet bookstores or even their local book store).
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