Naginata

A Japanese martial art using the naginata, a polearm with a curved blade. Used as a weapon since the Heian period, it developed during the Edo period as a cultivated art for samurai women. Today, practiced mainly by women, it has established a unique position as a martial art with distinct spacing and reach from kendo.

A martial art rooted in Japanese swordsmanship, practiced with bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bogu). Its philosophy centers on character development through the disciplined study of the sword, emphasizing etiquette and mental cultivation alongside technique. Led by the All Japan Kendo Federation, it is practiced in over 60 countries.

A martial art systematized from traditional Japanese archery. Using a Japanese longbow approximately two meters in length, it combines shooting technique with spiritual discipline. Under the principle of 'seisha hicchu' (correct shooting always hits the target), emphasis is placed on the beauty of the eight stages of shooting form and the unity of mind.

A Japanese martial art that trains the complete sequence of drawing the sword from its scabbard, cutting, and resheathing. Evolved from practical swordsmanship, it emphasizes the unity of mind and body and spiritual cultivation. The act of drawing the sword in an instant from stillness embodies 'stillness within motion, motion within stillness,' pursuing the essence of martial arts.

Martial art using a long-handled bladed weapon. Developed as a self-defense method for women from the Sengoku through Edo periods, now recognized as a woman-centered martial discipline. The All Japan Naginata Federation was established in 1962 with a competitive system emphasizing kata and sparring. Featured in high school national tournaments.

A martial arts-based combat sport rooted in Japanese traditional swordsmanship. Practitioners use bamboo swords to score points by striking four target areas: head, torso, wrists, and ankles. Evolved from Edo-period sword techniques into a modern sport emphasizing etiquette and spirituality. Practiced by approximately 6 million people worldwide and recognized as an Olympic sport.