The nagamaki (長巻), literally meaning "long wrapping" in Japanese, is an unusual Japanese polearm that falls between the naginata and tachi in terms of design. It was particularly in use from the 12th to the 14th century. The nagamaki features a heavy blade measuring 2-4 shaku (60-120 cm) mounted on a handle of similar length (60-90 cm).
This unique weapon defies conventional classification and can only be loosely associated with the European war spear used in the 15th century.
History
The nagamaki emerged during the Kamakura period (1192-1333) and remained in use until the Muromachi period (1392-1573). It is believed to have been the preferred weapon of Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582), and Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578) reportedly had a selected guard of warriors armed with nagamaki.
According to current research, the nagamaki is thought to have been developed by Japanese craftsmen based on the long field swords, nodachi, and ōdachi, which were used to counter cavalry charges that became increasingly common in Japan during the 14th century. This evolutionary process also led to the development of the naginata, a type of polearm equivalent to the European falchion.
The shape and usage of the nagamaki, especially in its longer blade form, bear a resemblance to a Chinese weapon called the zhǎnmǎ dāo, developed during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). While the nagamaki's unique blade-to-handle ratio and its hybrid nature as a "polearm sword" are reminiscent of the naginata, a true polearm, it can also be compared to a Western weapon, the war spear, and its polearm variant, the brandistock.
Construction
The nagamaki features a single-edged blade similar to that of a katana, ranging from 2 to 4 shaku (60-120 cm) in length, with a long handle (tsuka) measuring 2-3 shaku, covered in leather and silk like other types of Japanese swords. In cases where the tsuka lacked leather or silk, the wooden handle was reinforced with metal rings.
Compared to other swords such as the katana, tachi, wakizashi, and tantō, the nagamaki had fewer restrictions regarding the measurements and proportions of its parts. The length of the exposed blade (nagasa), tang (nakago), and the point (kissaki) were not fixed or standardized but subject to variations. In some cases, a long tang could allow the blade of a nagamaki to be reconfigured into a polearm, turning it into a massive naginata. For example, the Araki-ryū nagamaki is essentially a naginata weighing over 4 kg and measuring 2.4 m.
The constant presence of the tsuka in the nagamaki is the main difference distinguishing it from the naginata, where the blade is mounted on a dedicated lance handle. This feature classifies the nagamaki as a type of Japanese sword.
Another distinction between the naginata and the nagamaki, which contributes to categorizing the latter as a sword rather than a polearm, is its mode of usage. While the naginata, like all true polearms, involves changing grips to fully utilize the reach and parrying capabilities of the staff, the nagamaki required the warrior to maintain a solid and firm grip similar to that of a katana, with the right hand always close to the tsuba (guard).