Long pole weapon "naginata" ·  Japon · ID: 3036081

Description

wooden shaft with blackish brown shiny patina, the upper section artificially decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay, metal fittings, iron blade (traces of corrosion), min. dam. (shaft), minor missing parts (tesserae), loose wooden splinter;
the earliest clear references to this weapon date from 1146. “Naginata” were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by “ashigaru” (foot soldiers) and “sohei” (warrior monks). “Naginatado” belongs to the eldest martial arts of Japan aside of sword fighting and archery.