Editing Naginata (section)

==Contemporary usage==
{{Main|Naginatajutsu}}
[[File:Naginatajutsu_no_5°_Torneio_Brasileiro.jpg|right|thumb|A naginatajutsu tournament in Brazil, organised by the Confederação Brasileira de Kobudo]]

''Naginata'' can be used to batter, stab, or hook an opponent,<ref name="cats">Katz 2009</ref> but due to their relatively balanced center of mass, are often spun and turned to proscribe a large radius of reach. The curved blade provides a long cutting surface without increasing the overall length of the weapon.

Historically, the ''naginata'' was often used by foot soldiers to create space on the battlefield. They have several situational advantages over a sword. Their reach is longer, allowing the wielder to keep out of the reach of opponents. The weight of the weapon gave power to strikes and cuts, even though the weight of the weapon is usually thought of as a disadvantage. The weight at the end of the shaft (''ishizuki''), and the shaft itself (''ebu'') can be used offensively and defensively.

The martial art of wielding the ''naginata'' is known as ''[[naginatajutsu]]''. Most ''naginata'' practice today is in a modernised form, a ''[[Gendai Budō|gendai budō]]'' called ''atarashii Naginata'' ("new Naginata"<ref name="books.google.com"/>), which is organized into regional, national, and international federations, who hold competitions and award ranks. Use of the ''naginata'' is also taught within the ''[[Bujinkan]]'' and in some ''[[koryū]]'' schools such as [[Suiō-ryū|Suio Ryu]] and [[Tendō-ryū]].

''Naginata'' practitioners wear an ''[[uwagi]]'', [[Obi (martial arts)|''obi'']], and ''[[hakama]]'', similar to that worn by ''[[kendo]]'' practitioners, although the ''uwagi'' is generally white. For sparring, armor known as ''[[bōgu]]'' is worn. ''Bōgu'' for ''naginatajutsu'' adds {{Nihongo|shin guards|脛当|sune-ate}} and the {{Nihongo|gloves|小手|kote}} have a singulated index finger, unlike the mitten-style gloves used for ''kendo''.