Naginata (なぎなた/長刀/薙刀) is a pole weapon usually used by Japanesesamurai which in recent times has become strongly associated with women. It consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade fashioned onto the end. Usually, it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft. Most naginata practise today is in a modernised form, a gendai budo called Atarashii naginata in which competitions also are held. Naginata is also practised within the Bujinkan and in some koryu schools.
