When Did the Samurai Start Using the Nagamaki?

The Nagamaki was first introduced and utilized by the Samurai during the Kamakura period. It then appeared in the Nanbokucho and the early Muromachi periods.

While the Nagamaki isn’t as popular as the Katana, it is still another efficient Nihonto utilized by the Samurai.

History of the Nagamaki

It’s still unknown who invented and created the Nagamaki. The exact time when they produced the blade is also a mystery.

However, the primary consensus is that the Nagamaki appeared during the Kamakura period during the years 1192 to 1333. By the middle of this period, the blade reached its peak usage and functions. Its popularity started declining in favor of other Nihonto around.

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Based on various historical accounts and reports, the warlord Uesugi Kenshin had a special army who fought alongside him. He was a Daimyo of the province of Echigo, and his army consisted of special bodyguards wielding the Nagamaki.

Due to this information, it only shows that the Nagamaki was indeed a highly effective weapon.

The Nagamaki’s Use

Like many Nihonto from Japan’s feudal era, wielders of the Nagamaki had to use the weapon with both hands.

This form was due to the blade’s construction, which was ideal against opponents on horseback. Generally, it was a piece created specifically for the infantry and designed against cavalry units.

Unlike the Naginata, the wielder’s hands were in a fixed position. Plus, it doesn’t change no matter the stance they take. The user would have his or her right hand fixed close to the blade.

When it comes to its attacks, the Nagamaki was best suited for large sweeping and slicing strokes. It also functioned notably as a spear-like blade.

The Fall

Traditionally, producing the Nagamaki required a lot more materials compared to the Naginata or spear. It also required more time for the smith to complete, hence, why it wasn’t widely spread.

Eventually, this weapon reached the peak of its usage in 1336 to 1600 AD, which was the middle of the Muromachi Period.

Did the Appearance of the Nagamaki Change as Time Passed?

Through the years, the appearance of Nagamaki had changed. It was because of the transition of battle formations during the 16th century.

How Did the Nagamaki Look Like?

The Nagamaki featured a 2-feet long blade with a Tsuka with almost the same length. For the blade, it was single-edged, resembling that of the Naginata, but differed in how it was mounted. It was mounted on a Tsuka similar to the Katana, instead of having a simple shaft made of wood.

The length of the Nagamaki varied. The most common ones had blades with a length of more than 2 Shaku, like a Tachi or Katana.

Unlike with the Katana, Tanto, and Wakizashi, there were no specific rules for the size of the Nagamaki. Because of this, different Nagamaki swords in feudal Japan had varied measurements and styles.

Use of the Nagamaki

Since the Nagamaki had a long Tsuka, it was used with two hands. It was mainly for sweeping and slicing attacks. Since it has a long blade and a Tsuka that had the same length, it was effective against cavalry.

Decline and Refurbishing of the Nagamaki

The Samurai used the Nagamaki swords until the 16th century. However, mass formations started to become more common in battles in the late 15th century.

During this time, the Nagamaki became an ineffective weapon. It’s because its size and intended use weren’t suitable for the required space in mass formations.

Despite this, the Nagamaki became widely used by some warriors. The soldiers from the clans of Oda and Uesugi were deployed with these weapons.

Since its popularity was decreasing in the 16th century, a lot of Nagamaki were cut down and reconstructed. These refurbished swords are called the Nagamaki Naoshi. Aside from the Nagamaki, the Nodachi sword and the Naginata underwent these changes at the same time.