Naginata is a martial art suitable for practice by men and women of all ages. The art uses the naginata (a pole weapon similar to a European halberd) for both full contact practice in armour and in choreographed kata forms, as the basis of teaching.

The naginata itself is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. A modern practice naginata consists of a wood shaft with a curved bamboo blade on the end.