halberd(naginata)
A weapon with a curved blade attached to the end of a long handle. As the name suggests, it is mainly wielded to “nagi-harau” or “nagi-kiri” (to cut to pieces). It became widely used from the Heian period (794-1185) and was the main weapon in battles during the Nanbokucho period (1392-1333), but as spears and guns came to the fore, the use of the naginata declined. After the Edo period (1603-1867), the role of the naginata changed to that of a weapon of self-defense for women in the warrior class and a decorative object.
