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Origin[]
In later Japanese history, the naginata was associated with female samurai. Print by Kuniyoshi, from the series Seichi Gishin Den, 1848.
Naginata is the soul of a naginata. Her design is a shrine maiden, because they have been used by many shrine maidens. The naginata is one of several varietie's of traditionally made Japanese swords in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei (warrior monks).