FAQs

What is Naginata-do, as practiced by BNA?

The Naginata weapon is abit like a halberd, a long pole with a blade on the end attached to it. Naginata the martial art, uses the same word, as the weapon name. Though officially it should be called Atarashii Naginata. Before the war it was Naginata-do - "Do" meaning Way or Path…of study; as used in other titles, Judo, Karate-do, Aikido, Kendo and so on, the "Do" has simply been dropped. Naginata therefore refers both to the weapon and the art.

Naginata's history is as old and varied as other Oriental weapons - but unlike the sword, it did not start out specifically as a weapon of war.

Do only women practice Naginata?

Absolutely not. In politically correct times, it certainly isn't just for girls - any more than other martial arts are just for boys. However the perception may be it is primarily practiced by women - this part is true - in Japan. But that should not let anyone - male or female - be put off. Back in Japan's history, it was the women who were left (when men went to war or work), and the only farming implement left was the halberd - this is why it is perhaps associated with being a "girl only" weapon. In Japanese history, it is known that women fought with naginata with the same bravery as their menfolk, with their swords. In recent times, Naginata-do has been offered as a martial discipline to young Japanese girls as an alternative to the Kendo, that is compulsory for boys (in school, Judo is also offered to boys as an alternative to Kendo).

Therefore in Japan, today it is primarily women, but outside Japan you'd be surprised, it is primarily guys on the up take of Naginata-do. At a guess the European ratio is probably 70% men, 30% women (France being slightly different).

So the London club has more men than women !! so we are reflecting the trend in Europe.

Japan, probably needs more time to appreciate this fact, ie. outside Japan, Naginata is developing and appealing more so to men, than women.

How big is the modern Naginata training weapon & what is it made of?

The adult naginata is a minimum of 212 centimetres in length, and is primarily made of white oak. It can be fit into a small hatchback car, but public transport can be a challenge! but nevertheless is possible.

At the end of the white oak stick, is a bamboo blade (like the halberd). For safety reasons (like the bamboo Kendo sword, shinai) - the naginata blade is also made of strip bamboo (2 pieces). In vigorous shiai (competition) this bamboo can break (quite normal, so don't be shocked) but this part is relatively cheap, and very easy to replace (about £8-9). Those not engaged in shiai, can expect their blade to last 4-5 years, with care…

This combination makes it a very long, and formidable weapon.

For koryu (old style) kata, there is an all wood naginata available. But in Europe, due to the scarcity & expense of these all wood ones, the oak & bamboo blade combination is used for everything – competitive sparring and kata. Those who study seriously and long enough, eventually acquire the all wood naginata weapon for Koryu naginata study.

Caution: In answering questions about the suitability of other tpyes of naginata, for Health & Safety reasons, severe caution is added with respect to 'ornamental', screw type, lacquered type, ones with blunt metal blades etc etc. All sorts it seems. Please please, leave these types of naginata on the wall, as a display item, these types of naginata are not designed for dojo practice, and certainly not for a semi-contact budo - which is what Atarashii naginata is, a semi-contact budo discipline.

Please note the British Naginata Association is not insured for "metal weapons" or part metal even. You will also find most public premises are now very sensitive about "metal weapons" being used on their premises. We know Iaido clubs and those styles whose syllabus has a metal weapon element, are encountering problems finding venues now.

All wood/bamboo training weapons, poses less of problem for insurance, and thus hiring halls/space in sports centres. BNA uses and practices only with these weapons.

Is Naginata a battlefield martial art or self defence ?

Yes it was battlefield art, as well as crossing the boundaries of being used for self-defence. Due to the advantageous length (at least over 1.5 meters, and higher - there was no set length) it was popular for cutting down horses of samurai and thereby the rider falling with the horse too, in that respect, before the Edo histroical period, it was a man's war weapon - not a woman's. It was later in history, that it returned to its "domestic roots" (and its association with women became more famous); and in answer to the latter question, for women protecting their property, again its length was advantageous.

So in the 21st century - is Naginata only a sport ?

No - no more than other martial displines are. Martial Arts (including Naginata) should never be reduced to "point scoring" or just hitting people for the sake it. It is martial art, which is as much mental & philosophical as it physical. Being in relatively good health also helps, after all - wearing 4 kilos of body armour, and wielding a pole over 2 meters in length whilst wearing thick gloves - and become ambidextrous (you must be able to fight both sides/all stances) can be tough, you'll need lots of energy and dexterity !!

The action required for this modern discipline, in the hips and feet, is as important as the action in your shoulders & arms.

Unique to modern Naginata, is Rhythmic Naginata: this is essentially team naginata event, and a set routine to music. This is the fun side of naginata, and it is seen by many serious budo people as “fluffly girls nonsense” - and no more a discipline than say synchronised swimming. But in all seriousness, it is a chance to show off as a team, many techniques of naginata. The fact that its to music, looks like a dance routine - can seem to sit at odds with those who see naginata, armour and bashing about in keiko as distinctly "strange" and primarily a weapon. Remember, in Japan, Naginata is primarily women, so “musical Naginata” probably appeals more so.

To make this work, most rhythmic naginata teams, are a minimum of 6 persons. It always works best with at least 10 or more. Seeing 20 individuals, is impressive though. The BNA will never make Rhythmic Naginata compulsory as part of their syllabus or training, even if Great Britain hosts an international event. It will be an entirely team and voluntary activity, should the occasion arise in the distant future.

By wearing similar body armour to Kendo, does that make the hitting targets the same too ?
Yes, almost. As we said, Kendo & Naginata people can fight each other safely with their respective weapons. The head, throat, wrists, and body trunk are all valid targets. And of course, due to the shin-protectors - the shins are the additional target available to strike too. (If a naginata person is fighting a Kendo person, then the Kendo person has to wear the shin-protectors too !)

In this respect the Naginata fighter often has the advantage when fighting a Kendoka, simply because the Kendo person is not used to defending his legs (which are a target) and also because the Kendoka is less likely to be familiar with the length of the Naginata weapon, the changing kamae, the changing sides, which can deceptively change distance of the opponent, from long to short. The fact that a kendoka instinct is to go forward, means the movements the Naginataka (Naginata person) can make to change the length of their weapon, and being side ways on, go back as quick as they can go forward, means they have a lot to their advantage.

BUYING Naginata/Kendo bogu (armour)

Please ask our advice. Both are suitable, but if individuals do not intend practicing Kendo, ever – then yes, Naginata only bogu IS different in many subtle ways. If a large outlay of money is going to be spent on specific/unique Naginata armour, we will give the best advice, that not only is the Men, the Do, and Kote different in proportions/sizing. It seems only the tare (waist) protector is “the same”.

Many who have bogu, do indeed use Kendo bogu…

Differences in a nutshell:

1. Men flaps = Naginata ones, are shorter ! much shorter, due to the hasso kamae taken with a very long stick ! Kendo men flaps are longer, and need to be “rolled” if possible…
2. Do = worn much “smaller” as side-to-side movement and changing left/right kamae is unqiue to Naginata, hence a Do worn by a Naginata-ka appears to be “small” – it isn’t, its just that Kendo people wear a Do, more loosely and lower down, as they only ever face front on. Also it doesn’t get caught on the men-nodo (throat protector) by being slightly smaller.
3. Kote = most obviously, Naginata-kote have split index finger. Most crucial, and the first item a Naginata student is encouraged to buy (London club now has 4 club Kote pairs). We also are lucky to buy Naginata Kote, hand made to size by Chiba-Bogu in Chiba, Japan for a reasonable £80+ pending how much you want to pay !!! upwards for leather quality…
4. Tare = in theory the same !! as Kendo, in reality, personal preference can mean, those wanting a less deep “waist-band”.
5. Sune-ate (Additional), ie. the Shin-protectors !!! marks us out as Naginata !!! rather than Kendo…
   

British Health & Safety note (as well as Insurance implications) for Kendo-Naginata

Please note Due to variations in the conditions of insurance cover by different martial arts bodies, the BNA insists that all Kendo individual who compete against a Naginata invidiual seek clarification from their own martial body, as to the applicablity of their insurance to fence against a Naginata individual. Please check before challenging a naginata-ka to a match.

The BNA cannot be held liable or responsible for a Kendo-ka if he/she wishes to undertake that risk.

Please note that in Atarashii Naginata, as laid down by the AJNF, and INF, mixed matches (ie. that’s shinai to naginata), is a valid part of an experienced Naginata-ka training/syllabus, therefore BNA members are insured to fence against a shinai. This means, a BNA member can fight on either side, (with a shinai or naginata) and will be insured by the BNA.

It is the INDIVIDUAL who is insured. It is not the opponent fencing the Naginata-ka, who claims on BNA insurance. Hence the note above for Kendo players, they must be covered by their own insurance, we stress the BNA does not cover Kendo people fighting Naginata players.

We hope this is clear and absolves the BNA of any legal or insurance liability, for Kendo individuals who are not BNA, ie. Naginata individuals. The BNA does not cover Kendo individuals practicing shinai to shinai (ie. the budo of Kendo only).

On advice: even in Japan, at least ONE side must be a minimum SAN-DAN level. Anything less, generally a Yon-dan Naginata-ka is present/watching, to ensure the fight does not degenerate into a dangerous "bashing mess".

Are there Kata (set routines) in Naginata as there are in other martial arts ?

Yes. As explained above, there is an all wood Naginata available - but forms "Engi" are part of the Naginata syllabus. This is to ensure continuous study of a discipline, and ensure it does not degenerate into a pure sport, just concerned with beating people up.

Kata is very important in the study of Naginata. We know all the katas up to 8 (for seitei and the main AJNF syllabus, there are only 8 kata: for koryu there are about 200+ katas !!) The 8 main kata are enough to see people up to about ni-dan (2nd dan level).

Like any kata, movements are relatively easy to learn. BUT like ALL budo kata, the nuances and improvements to movements, comprehension and form can take a life time to "perfect". They are not "simple" movements which is why learning only 8 still requires considerable practice. Aesthetically, they are not difficult to learn however.

In Naginata-do, for beginners ALOT of time is spent at the early stages learning kata, for you to become familiar with the Naginata and its properties. In the past too much emphasis was placed on being in bogu, and the hitting competitive side of Naginata. A good technical base, will allow you to develope more, the keiko (free sparring) side of Naginata. Also bogu has been a barrier (expensive) in the past. Those who already come with bogu, therefore end up in keiko, a little faster than those who do not come to Naginata-do, with armour already.

Learning the 5 key kata, will be primary concern of anyone studying up to shodan (1st dan).

Is there a grading structure as with other martial arts in Naginata ?

Yes. In a similar case to Kendo, Iaido and other hakama wearing budo, because of the amount of clothes and body armour being worn or equipment used, the last thing you also need is some coloured belt around your waist too.

A THIN white obi (belt) can be worn underneath your hakama, this is a much wider piece of cloth, but thinner in width (not like the popular colour belts) and is worn only for posture and body "helping" purposes. It is by choice and recommended only. Generally your "grade" is evident to an experienced teacher, there is no need to "display" your grade. You do not wear the more popularly known thick coloured or black belts like Karate/Judo.

Some of us are dan grades in Kendo (or other budo), though of course practicing other martial arts is no prerequisite for Naginata. In fact those who have never done a budo, are often better off, if the certain London students are anything to go by, as budo people bring their old habits into naginata technique ! If you don’t have bad budo habits, then you have a “cleaner slate”.

Most associations & federations run their own gradings in all budo. Almost ALL European countries with Naginata established, grade only kyu (ie. coloured belt equivalent) level.
Note: Ikkyu (1st Kyu) and Dan grades can only be done at major international seminars. This limits grading chances to only once a year in Europe for 95% of us.

Those small nations who cannot grade even KYU, encourage their individuals to grade at INF events (ie. autumn annually). Great Britain, falls into this category along with about 4-5 other European nations.

British located people note: due to cost & numbers, are encouraged to apply for the seminars simply to meet hugely more experienced people and Japanese sensei. This invariably means flights, seminar and accommodation. But people must expect to 'write off' about £250+ incl. flights for a long 3 day weekend.

To grade in Japan, is something of a big problem, unless you are registered INside Japan, or living there on a permanent basis. Japan will not let you grade, and encourages all Westerners to grade at international events (ie. anywhere but Japan). This is probably a wise choice, unlike other budo - foreigners in Naginata visiting Japan, is still something of a rarity. Also, we know from experience, grading in Japan, means a written paper, in Japanese, and individuals must answer writing Japanese, on the day. Quite a hurdle for most non-Japanese.

Unlike other budo disciplines, the highest attainable grade is 5 dan (go-dan), even then these will be older sensei, Japanese who have reached the top. After such, the sensei grades, of renshi, kyoshi and hanshi, are also graded for.

A Japanese 5 dan hanshi, then is likely to be quite "mature", with 40+ years experience under their belt. There are minimum age requirements too, meaning you'll never bump into a hanshi who is young. The hierarchy system in Japan, is particularly rigid, in Naginata-do.

Can I get a book or video ? in English !

Another most frequently asked question ! Naginata books which contain the MODERN Naginata do, are difficult to get hold of, and primarily all in Japanese.

HOWEVER: as per main ABOUT page, a book in English more comprehensive than even those in Japanese, has now been published !! Please go to www.kendo-world.com to order.

BUT Nothing makes up for actually doing or practicing the kata though, and any self respecting budo-ka knows you cannot learn from a book, or series of photos. You must do actions yourself, books are only a reminder & confirmation of what you have already learnt.