In Diane Skoss's book, 'Koryu Bujutsu: Classical Warrior Traditions of Japan', the nagamaki is defined as "a Japanese glaive with a particularly large or heavy blade". Yet, the only nagamaki I have seen (that are referred to as "nagamaki")are nagamaki-naoshi, which appear to be little more than a katana blade with a very long tsuka.
I see there are some large bladed weapons similar to a Western halberd pictured in some books, but these are referred to as only different types of naginata.
The Southern California Naginata Federation says on this
page that one of the main differences between naginata and nagamaki is that the handle of a nagamaki is wrapped, like a sword handle- not a wooden pole. But
here and
here we have weapons that do not have wrapped tsuka that are referred to as nagamaki. The latter one in particular is surely not a naginata..unwrapped handle or not.
I know this is kind of a rambling post..sorry. But any information on the nagamaki would be greatly appreciated.
Specifically:
Is there anywhere on the net or in a book that I can see a nagamaki of the type that Mrs. Skoss describes (glaive with large or heavy blade)?
How many styles of nagamaki are out there?
Are there many ryu extant which still teach the use of the nagamaki in their curriculum?
TIA,