Atarashii Naginata is a traditional Japanese martial art in which the weapon is a pole sword over two meters long. It has been practiced in Estonia since 2017, and the circle of enthusiasts is slowly growing. Below, we look at what this discipline involves, who it suits and where to start.
What is Atarashii Naginata?
The naginata is an ancient Japanese polearm — a sword with a curved blade of up to 60 cm on a long wooden shaft. The whole weapon is longer than two meters. “Atarashii” means “new” in Japanese, because the modern sport took shape after the Second World War, when the Japan Naginata Federation turned an old battlefield skill into a modern competitive discipline.
The discipline combines physical training with Japanese etiquette and respect. In training, you learn basic techniques and Japanese terminology, and you fight practice matches. It is a contact sport — as in kendo, competitors wear protective armor, known as bogu.
How Atarashii Naginata came to Estonia
Naginata teaching in Estonia began in 2017 — completely from scratch. There was no sensei (teacher) of its own, the whole club had just three naginatas between them, and training took place once a month. The nearest teacher was in Finland, and the Finnish sensei occasionally came to Tallinn to run seminars. In the first year there were barely any participants, but those who came stayed.
In 2018, training grew to once a week and then to twice a week. A children’s training session was added as well. In 2019, Naginata Estonia appeared in public for the first time at J-Zone, Tallinn’s Japanese culture festival. By 2020, the plan was to take part in the European Naginata Championships for the first time.
Estonian practitioners travel to Helsinki at least every two months to train with their teacher, and they also take part in seminars in St. Petersburg. You can keep up with the club’s activities on Facebook. Naginata training takes place in Tallinn, at Sõle 40. You can find the club’s contact details HERE.
A brief history of the naginata
The naginata was already in use in the 12th century — samurai and warrior monks fought with it against mounted riders. The long shaft made it possible to keep a safe distance from the enemy, block powerful blows and make wide cutting movements.
From the 16th century onward, as firearms spread, the naginata lost its importance on the battlefield. The weapon became a means of self-defense for the women of samurai families and a symbol of status. In the 19th century, the naginata was added to the curriculum of Japanese schools under the name Gakko Naginata, or “School Naginata”. After the Second World War, teaching martial arts in schools was banned, and only in 1955, when the Japan Naginata Federation was founded, did the discipline begin a new life as a sport — as Atarashii Naginata. The International Naginata Federation was established in 1990, and the first world championships were held in 1995.
Who is Atarashii Naginata for?
An honest answer: patient people. Mastering the basic techniques takes months, the Japanese terms have to be learned by heart, and progress is gradual. Good physical shape helps, but the discipline is manageable for any healthy person — there is no strict age limit. In Japan, some senseis still train actively well into old age.
What to know about equipment
The training weapon is the shiai-naginata: a bamboo blade on an oak shaft. The clothing is a gi and hakama, plus bogu (protective armor) for competitions. The full set isn’t cheap, but beginners can train in a T-shirt and sweatpants for the first few months and use the club’s naginatas.
FAQ
Is it suitable for a beginner who has never done martial arts?
Yes. Previous martial arts experience isn’t necessary — the club starts from the very beginning with basic techniques. Patience and showing up regularly matter more.
How expensive is it to get started?
For the first few months, a T-shirt, sweatpants and the club’s equipment are enough, so the extra cost is minimal. Buying your own naginata, gi, hakama and bogu only comes into question once training has become regular.
Can you compete in Estonia?
There are no major domestic competitions in Estonia yet, but practitioners take part in seminars and competitions in Finland and St. Petersburg, as well as in the European championships.
Author:Turg.Fitness.ee
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