Episode 7: The Naginata: History, Practice, and Utility

The episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the naginata, a Japanese polearm characterized by a long, curved blade, comparable to the medieval European falchion. Its historical evolution is traced, noting how it stood out during the Genpei War for its effectiveness against cavalry and how its use shifted from military to domestic use during the Tokugawa Era, when it became a favored weapon among warriors' wives.