Sword Myths

[Spada e Pugnale]

I believe the Japanese Nagi arts have become predominantly female attended in Japan.

I know that's the case with the naginata (Japanese glaive), but I don't know about the nagae-yari (long spear/pike). I know that there's at least one classical school of spear use that still employs this weapon--Owari Kan Ryu Sojutsu. Donn Draeger protege Hunter Armstrong is a practitioner. The yari they use is almost 12 feet long--fairly short as far as pikes go, but still within pike-sized limits.

I blame the popularity of the sword on Erroll Flynn and Toshiro Mifune.

Haha, too true!

But, they both looked really cool doing what they did. :thumbup: