Use
The way to hold a nagamaki is very specific. It is held with the two hands in a fixed position in the same way a katana is held. Unlike the naginata, the hands do not change when handling the weapon and the right hand was always the closest to the blade. While handling nagamaki fewer sliding actions on the handle are performed than are with the naginata, where the entire length of the shaft is used. The nagamaki is designed for large sweeping and slicing strokes. Traditionally the nagamaki was used as an infantry weapon. Warriors used the weapon against horsemen. Examples of real nagamaki can be seen today as nagamaki-naoshi, which are nagamaki blades re-shaped into swords. The nagamaki also resembles the Song Dynasty anti-cavalry weapon, the Zhanmadao.
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