Getting Started

What do you wear to practice Naginata ?

A thin naginata gi (jacket) is white. Very similar to a karate gi, but with very short arms. If you really are enthusiastic and want to buy a second hand karate-gi - shorten the arms, so they are long sleeve t-shirt length (contradiction, but we mean, cut to the above the elbows)and not flapping about, but room enough to move.

To buy brand new, a proper Naginata gi, though is between £25-30, depending on your size (women’s will be about £25, and guys over 5’10” will generally be £30, pending exchange rate). We buy these only from Japan, Chiba Bogu or on rare occasions from Fukuoka City.

Western Japan style Naginata sleeves are actually elasticated (not tightly, ie. cutting of blood supply ! Handy not getting your opponent's stick stuck up your arm sleeve. Until you can buy a naginata gi, use what you have, preferably as thin & white as possible.

Some men, do not like the very thin cotton, and have opted for a thicker cotton, between a thin aikido, and thin karate type gi. We’re happy with this – but would still advise, a shorter cut sleeve, above the elbow, even if it’s a home-made cut job.

Then BLACK or BLUE hakama, generally polyester cotton, not the 100% heavy cotton as worn by Kendo-ka. This is because your hakama once in sune (shin protectors) is gathered up, so it needs to be light & loose and thus fairly crease-proof. Similar if you have a hakama already, similar to a black aikido hakama, or Kendo hakama, then use that to save money, until we can recommend you to a naginata hakama. Most budo/martial arts suppliers in this country sell hakama. Again, we’re happy with the British company www.ninecircles.co.uk

Complete beginners with none of the above, turn up wearing just t-shirt/sweater (in winter) and jogging bottoms. No zips or buttons or belts, if possible

Is the body armour worn by Naginata students the same as used for Kendo?

Not quite - almost identical. Again as explained on FAQs, we discovered Naginata through Kendo, because of the similarity in not only the armour, but also the fact that Naginata & Kendo people can fight each other. This makes it less expensive for us to start in Naginata, as we already have the most expensive items, ie. the armour. But don't worry, Kendo bogu is just fine - for standard that is currently in Britain. The main noticeable addition, is a pair of sune-ate - these are shin protectors, a valid target in Naginata (that doesn't exist in Kendo) Brand new, the cost is about £75. The Kote (or gloves) are also very different, there is a spilt finger (index). But until one can afford to buy these gloves, people can use Kendo gloves.

Kendo gloves are fine if you are a Kendo person with all the bogu already. If you are NOT - I recommend waiting, for advice, and at least trying Naginata first for a few sessions.


Fig 1.0 - Bogu - Armour


Fig 2.0 - Sune - Shin Protectors


Fig 3.0 - The Naginata