Naginatajutsu

The naginata originates from development of the Japanese spear called hoko yari of the later 1st millennium AD.

Polearms are intended as mass weapons, to be used not just by individual warriors, but by formations of soldiers together on field battles and not for dueling.

The oldest account of naginata is in the Kojiki and battle paintings by Tengyo no ran, in 980 AD (Heian period).

[5] In the early history of its use, the naginata was primarily used against cavalry, as its length kept the wielder a safe distance from horses and their riders.

The importance of naginata for samurai can be attested by the relatively large number of styles of bujutsu that have incorporated it in their curriculum, to name a few: Suiō-ryū, Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū, Tendō-ryū, Toda-ha Bukō-ryū, and the Yōshin-ryū.

During the Tokugawa period (1603–1868), the naginata was transformed into a status symbol to distinguish women of samurai families, as well as being the primary means for a woman to defend her home while her husband was away in times of war.

This period also saw the propagation of the naginata as a feminine art and the weapon serving as more of a symbol of devotion to a woman's family.

[citation needed] With the end of the Samurai era and the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan was modernized and many of the old practices fell into disuse.

The characteristics of this school are dynamic techniques and long katas, with movements such as jumps, turns with the body and ascending and descending cuts used in alternation.

The naginata occupies an important highlight, having been incorporated by the founder of the style, Mima Yochizaemon Kagenobu (1577–1665), who learned to use this weapon with the sōhei monks during the musha shugyō (武者修行; warrior pilgrimage) that he made in the first part of his life.

Bōgu, as this protective clothing is called, comprises head and throat protectors (Men), wrists (Kote), trunk (Do) and shins / tibia (Suneate).

So in 1993 Brazil was at the 3rd International Friendship Tournament held in Los Angeles – USA and at the 1st World Championship in Tokyo – Japan.

Present at the 2nd World Championship in Paris – France and in 1996 Brazil had the great honor of hosting the 4th International Friendship Tournament.

Currently in Brazil there is a teacher authorized by INF to teach the art of Atarashi Naginata: Yasue Morita Sensei, with a 4th Dan degree and have maintained a training group through ANB in São Paulo.

Responsible for the dissemination of this martial art and for the guidance to people interested in learning it, in accordance with the principles of Atarashi Naginata and rules of INF.

In Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Manaus and Porto Alegre there are study groups supervised by ANB.

Teaching within CBKob is done by its president, Sensei pt:Jorge Kishikawa, other teachers connected to him, Are affiliated with Nihon Kobudo Kyokai (headquarters in Tokyo, Japan) – NKK – and authorized to teach the art of Naginata do Suio ryu by Soke (grandmaster) Yoshimitsu Katsuse.

[14] The practice within CBKob also covers shiai (fighting) using bogu equipped with sune (protection of the tibia).

Female students perform Naginatajutsu at an autumn sports festival of Hamamatsu Municipal Senior High School in 1911
Modern competition with bamboo naginata.
Naginata Kata – International Budo University, Japan