Nagamaki - Definition

A nagamaki ("long wrapping") was a Japanese weapon popular between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is related to the better known naginata and distinguishing between the two can be difficult. Since blades can be removed from their original shafts the terms have recently been used interchangeably. The nagimaki tend to have a longer and less heavy/curved blade than do naginata. The blade bears a much greater resemblance to a tachi or katana. However, since the handle that accompanies them is usually much shorter (2-3 feet) the overall weapon may not exceed the naginata in length. Truth be told, rather than a pole arm the nagamaki is similar in construction to a large sword such as the nodachi or zanbato. Its handle is cross wrapped in daito style rather than attached straight onto a long pole. Unlike the zanbato the blade tended to be thin towards the tip making it lighter to wield.

Unlike the naginata which can trace back its lineage to B.C. China, the nagamaki was developed in the middle of the Muromachi period. While Oda Nobunaga was reported to equip his front line with nagamaki, in time it became less popular than the naginata. Today it is a rare collector’s item, and few martial arts teach its technique. Nagamaki tend to be shobu-zukuri cross section.