Naginata
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
The Naginata is the characteristic Japanese polearm used from the 11th century forward and consists of a katana quality blade attached to a wooden staff. Like other Japanese blades, the naginata was crafted of the highest quality materials and workmanship. The blade, which varied from two to four feet in length, was edged on the convex side for slashing and pointed at the tip for thrusts. The blade tang (portion which fits into the staff) was sometimes as long as the blade itself; thus, it was nearly impossible to break the blade off the staff. The naginata developed from an agricultural implement but evolved into a weapon style of its own. Japanese warriors studied naginatajutsu (the art of the curved blade), a martial art devoted exclusively to the employment of the naginata in combat. In the hands of an expert, the naginata was one of the fiercest polearms in history.
