Naginata (Weapon)

Naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades (nihonto)[1][2] in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei (warrior monks).[3] The naginata is the iconic weapon of the onna-bugeisha-archetype; a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese nobility.