Naginata & Nagimaki

[hoom]

I never really knew much about medieval Japan but when I got WE, I was hooked.
Particularly after reading WOTD.pdf http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The thing that I really like is the Naginata & Nagimaki (as used by monks).

I tried to find piccies on the net of them but mostly only got shots from modern martial arts clubs where they use wooden fake Naginata.

I'm wondering if any of you lot have any decent pics of Naginata & Nagimaki in proper use? Like old photos & paintings (I did manage to find a couple).
Particularly pics of the Monks with silk robes, the cool sandals & Nagimaki http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[LCJr]

I always thought it was the other way around. Monks and footsoldiers used naginata and mounted troops the nagimaki.

You might try a visit to your local library and see what they have. If nothing else they should have a few Turnbull books. Might try Google's Image search if you haven't already also.

The modern sport version should give you idea of how they were used. About the same way kendo or european fencing approximates the original combat usage so take it with a grain of salt. Not sure accurate it is but the Japanese movie Kwaidan(sp?, ghost stories) had a scene with them. The monk would start off by holding as far down as possible on the shaft and swinging over their head horizontally in a circle to get up speed for what would probably be a pretty powerful first strike. After that it was used similiar to a spear or other polearm to stab and cut.

BTW you might want to look at the O-No another sohei weapon.