Welcome to the British Naginata Association

Welcome to our website. It is not intended at this moment in time to be extensive on the subject of Naginata-do, but is aimed primarily at the style of modern Naginata budo, post-war known as “Atarashii Naginata”.

Please expect this website to have a bias towards those in Great Britain.

Atarashii Naginata is a Naginata budo, as a complete budo discipline in its own right, as promoted by the All Japan Naginata Federation (AJNF) through the International Naginata Federation (INF) and more locally for ourselves, the European Naginata Federation (ENF).

We appreciate that “old style” or Koryu Naginata styles and forms exist in Great Britain, in various kobudo, jiu jitsu and aikido (various styles) schools, and BNA is not immodest to say we are fully comprehensive on the subject of all types of Naginata budo study, we are not.

But we do attempt with our best efforts to follow the AJNF syllabus; and at the more experienced levels this does include Zen Nihon kata (set forms), and Koryu kata. However the fundamental kata in Atarashii Naginata, is called “shikake-oji” (or engi) – this consists of 8 basic kata (sort of equivalent to Iaido “seitei” set forms). All students coming to Naginata in Great Britain will be almost entirely focused on mastering these 8 fundamental forms, ahead of developing further their Naginata education.

We do not promote or teach Koryu kata on their own, so we do not wish to mislead other budo disciplines who believe we only do kata with all wood naginata weapon.

Atarashii Naginata style involves both kata and being bogu (armour) practice (similar to Kendo gigeiko, ie. free sparring). This means 95% of our practices are with the mixed shiai naginata, which is part light oak wood shaft and a bamboo ‘blade’ (see the Equipment page for more explanation). It also means eventually wearing bogu (armour), unless there are exceptional circumstances or if new students join, who are perhaps over the age of 45, then we make allowances for such valued individuals wishing to study only the set forms (ie. kata). Otherwise all students are encouraged to appreciate that the AJNF syllabus is a balanced one between shikake-oji (Naginata kata) and armoured practice.

Please note, we do not ever practice with, or promote the use of metal bladed Naginata weapons. We recommend these are on the wall as decoration display items to be admired.

Finally, please remember all work and efforts here on the website and in the club, are donated – so be patient with us if something is out of date or wrong.

Our Members only Forum site, is often the quicker place to see the latest news or up to date notices, and practice Calendar.

Webmasters are encouraged to bookmark or hyperlink our website to your relevant Naginata websites of your own.

Thank You.