Naginata
Naginata (なぎなた, 長刀 or 薙刀) is a Japanese halberd, a pole weapon. It is made of a wood shaft with a curved blade attached to the end, and is similar to the European glaive. Usually, it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft.
The martial art of wielding the naginata is called Naginata jutsu. Most naginata practise today is in a modernised form, a Gendai budo called "Naginata", in which competitions also are held. Naginata is also practised within the Takamatsu den and in some koryu schools.
