The Deadly Blade Of Female Samurai

Long associated with female warriors, the naginata was a lethal polearm used by noblewomen to defend their homes. It remains a powerful symbol of Japanese martial history.

While often linked to the samurai class, this long-reaching weapon became the iconic tool of the onna-musha, or female warriors. These women were trained to defend their families and estates with high skill during times of conflict. Today, it is practiced as a martial art focused on distance and grace. It serves as a reminder that combat roles in feudal Japan were not strictly reserved for men.