You may have first heard of the nagamaki while playing video games like Elden Ring or Final Fantasy XIV. But this is no fantasy weapon — the nagamaki is a historical Japanese war tool used widely between the 12th and 14th centuries, during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. Like many traditional arms, it eventually faded from use. But what exactly did this weapon look like? How was it used? And who wielded it? If you’re curious, read on to explore the fascinating story of the nagamaki.
What Did the Nagamaki Look Like?
The nagamaki (長巻) is a type of ancient Japanese weapon that no longer exists in its original form. The word itself means “long wrapping,” referring to the leather, brass, or bronze wrapping that often covered part or all of its long handle. Classified as a pole weapon, the nagamaki featured a shaft roughly 35 to 47 in (90 to 120 cm) in length, and no braiding was applied originally — later restorations added this decorative touch.
The blade was usually as long as the handle, measuring between 27.5 and 39.4 in (70 to 100 cm). A variant with a shorter, modified blade is known as the nagamaki-naoshi. In some cases, the tang — the part of the blade that extends into the handle — was also shorter. The nagamaki differed from the katana in other key ways: it had a less pronounced curve, lacked a yokote (the defining ridge between the blade and the tip), and featured multiple grooves along the blade’s length. It also had a back edge not present on a katana.
What Was the Nagamaki Used For?
This was primarily a foot soldier’s weapon, designed for use against mounted enemies. Its sickle-like blade was well-suited for cutting a horse’s legs or even unseating riders. Because of its size and weight, the nagamaki had to be handled with two hands, requiring physical strength to control. That’s one reason why it fell out of favour toward the end of the Muromachi period (1333–1582).
The nagamaki was eventually replaced by the naginata — a weapon with a shorter blade and longer shaft. This made it lighter, easier to manoeuvre, and more effective at keeping enemies at bay. In some contexts, the nodachi, a massive long sword, replaced the shorter nagamaki variants. As firearms gained prominence, polearms like the nagamaki became obsolete.
Who Used the Nagamaki?
The nagamaki was wielded by bushi warriors, who wore armour but were distinct from samurai. Bushi were generally considered less refined and of lower status than samurai, who served a daimyo (feudal lord). Bushi were often tasked with protecting extended family clans. The nagamaki was also used by ashigaru, Japan’s common foot soldiers. These troops were originally made up of poorly equipped peasants with minimal armour, but they made up the bulk of Japan’s infantry.
Warrior monks also adopted the nagamaki, before switching to the more agile naginata, which had a different grip style. A famous daimyo from the Sengoku period, Uesugi Kenshin (1530–1578), outfitted a special guard unit entirely with nagamakis. He ruled the Echigo province and is remembered for his legendary battles and honourable life.
Like many traditional Japanese weapons, the nagamaki evolved with the times before disappearing altogether as newer technologies emerged. Fortunately, thanks to passionate collectors and historians in Japan and around the world, its story lives on — preserving a small but powerful piece of Japan’s martial heritage.
