Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Naginata is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. A naginata consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade on the end; it is similar to the Chinese Guan Dao or European glaive or Russian sovnya. Usually it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft. The martial art of wielding the naginata is known as naginatajutsu. Most naginata practice today is in a modernised form, a gendai bud called atarashii Naginata meaning "new Naginata", in which competitions are held. Use of the naginata is also taught within the Bujinkan and in some kory schools. Naginata practitioners may wear a form of the protective armour known as b gu similar to that worn by kend practitioners.