A Naginata (薙刀) is a Japanese weapon with a curved blade attached to the end of a long shaft. It is characterized by the wide variety of attacks it can perform, such as slashing diagonally or sideways (薙斬る: Na-gi-ru), stabbing with the tip, thrusting with the ferrule, and striking with the shaft.

There are various theories about its origin and development, but it is generally believed to have appeared in the Heian period (794-1185) and been widely used in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Since its appearance, naginata have been effective in battles for hundreds of years, used individually and in large numbers, on horseback, against cavalry, and as the main weapon of warrior monks. Eventually, as efficiency in groups became more important, it fell out of use on the battlefield, but in the Edo period (1603-1868) it was used as one of the 18 Japanese martial arts, and was also practiced as a form of culture and self-defense for the women who guarded the homes of samurai. Even today, Naginata-jutsu, as an ancient martial art in contrast to swordsmanship, is passed down throughout Japan.