When I instruct new fighters in the use of the halberd, I usually teach them a hybrid of these two forms. The raised blade functions indeed like the 'open' or 'high guard' from swordfighting, in that is is ready to strike at any time (I seem to remember that the term 'von Dach' refers equally well to over-the-head as to from-the-shoulder; the naginata 'open/high guard' - yodan-no-kamae - has the weapon horizontal over the head with the butt aimed at the opponent in case he comes too close too fast) while the lowered queue is very much like a sword in 'lower guard' i.e. ready to defend. (It is a strong low defense that can easily swivel up to knock aside a high attack. Horizontal attacks at the lower back can also easily be blocked with the demi* by holding the weapon vertically in front of you while you turn your other side forward. After which you can choose to switch hands and assume a mirrored haso, or to keep your hands where the are, and go to the haso`s opposite guard, the gedan-no-kamae or low guard, with the blade in front of your leg, the elbow of the arm closest to the blade planted firmly in your side and the other one pointing straight backwards: pretty much your 'upstairs-downstairs' position.)

The sport`s naginata (the written form means 'mowing sword') is 2.30m, so well over 7'. I`ve transported it in cars, busses and trains and although a bit unwieldy in all three (except when you have one of those cars where the armrest on the backseat can turn up to reveal a hole leading to the trunk) it has always fitted.

* the french terms are from 'jeu de la hache', IIRC, which divides de poleaxe into 'croix' (head, or rather: the cross formed by the long, thin point and whatever axe/hammer/pick combination used), 'demi' (middle, or the upper half of the staff) and 'queue' (lower half of the staff).

The naginata scene in the UK is short of practitioners, btw.

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IRL: Edwin Hofstra

- mostly crewing at the moment

Hamst0r (12/3/2007)

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The naginata scene in the UK is short of practitioners, btw.

Hmmm...interesting...whereabouts are you based? I studied bits of naginata while I was doing Bujinkan and wouldn't mind expanding on it so am definitely interested, just thinking about distance/feasability. Failing that, you may know someone who happens to be in my area.

Well I`m Dutch, and although the Nami Kai dojo has students from all over Europe, I guess that would rate as 'distant'. I hadn`t looked into the British situation in a while (to be honest, I haven`t trained these last three years) but a quick search tells me that Rachel did found the British Naginata Association last year and you can find the website here : http://www.naginata.org.uk/home.php

Basically, it`s London. The website does name some 'other locations', (York and Kent) where there may be opportunity to train, and I know there are some people up in Scotland, because I met them, but I haven`t got any specifics on them. The BNA is proposing a Beginners` Introduction Seminar in early february `08. I suggest you contact them. It is their purpose to promote naginata and they should be more up-to-date than I am.

________________________________________________________

IRL: Edwin Hofstra

- mostly crewing at the moment

I love this Halberd, it is made entirely of win and despite knowing a number of people with kin cheap stuff I've never seen another like it. I use the "oar method" described earlier and have always found it very effective and in all honesty dont think there is a great deal of difference in bladed/hafted/stick designs for polearms, not in terms of combat effectiveness anyway. 

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CP: Lions 1IC
PD: Litorius Primus Atrebus, Players Elect
Big Damn Heros: "Bar" Grace's Gunsharks
RL: Ritch 

Although i have an absolute admiration for two handed great swords in LARP, good spear work is difficult to deal with, especially from tall people.

You find tall and physically fit people with spears are extremely destructive to many sorts of opponents.

Give a tall man a Spear, and you've got a damn good warrior to fight with / or against

Seaxe&Sorcery: HMS (IC) King Heimer.

Warbands: *Insert random dead character here*

Unforgotten Realms: Asvaldr