does naginata = ashigeru? from the smith armour/attack bonus point of view.

[Lemur]

Just FYI, if you build the "encampment" line in a province where you have a smith, and then go with the "armory" 2nd level building, and the smith specializes in weapons -- you wind up with silver shield and silver weapons for your recruits. Now them's some well-equipped samurai. And I note that the little icon representing improved shields and weapons shows up on both ashigaru and samurai units. No idea about monks just yet.

-edit-

P.S.: From what I have seen, there is no way to create ashigaru with naginata. If you want a big blade at the end of a long pole, you gotta go with samurai or monks.