Naginata (inscription Sumiyoshi Daimyojinshu (the Rest Is

What This Naginata Is

A naginata is a long-bladed pole weapon, often described in English as a "Japanese glaive." During the Northern and Southern Courts period (1336–1392), when the country was torn apart by warfare between two rival imperial lines, naginata became one of the most feared weapons on the battlefield. Their sweeping arcs allowed foot soldiers to bring down mounted opponents, and their length made them particularly effective in the chaotic engagements of the era.

The blade preserved at Choseiji measures 59.4 centimeters in length, with a wooden shaft of 71 centimeters. The inscription on one side of the blade reads "Sumiyoshi Daimyojin nushi" — a dedication invoking the Shinto deity of the sea and travelers, Sumiyoshi Daimyojin — though parts of the inscription are no longer legible. The reverse side bears the inscription "Hachiman Daibosatsu" (the war deity Hachiman) along with the date "Ryaku-o 5" (1342) and the maker's signature: "Forged by Naotsugu, resident of Bicchu Province."

Historical Background: The Northern and Southern Courts and a Master Smith

The naginata was forged in 1342, just a few years after the start of one of the most divisive periods in Japanese history. In 1336, the warrior Ashikaga Takauji established a rival imperial court in Kyoto, while Emperor Go-Daigo retreated to Yoshino in the mountains of Yamato to maintain the legitimate Southern Court. The resulting six decades of civil war reshaped Japanese society, military technology, and craftsmanship alike.

Demand for swords and polearms surged, and provincial workshops rose to meet the moment. Among the most celebrated was the Aoe school of Bicchu Province, located along the lower reaches of the Takahashi River in what is now Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. The Aoe school traced its origins to the late Heian period and reached the height of its prestige during the Kamakura and early Northern and Southern Courts periods. Smiths of this school traditionally adopted names ending in "-tsugu" (次), and Naotsugu — the maker of the Choseiji blade — is considered one of the leading masters of the school's middle period, known as Chu-Aoe.

The Aoe school is famous for a distinctive steel surface known as sumihada, in which dark patches appear within otherwise clear, bluish steel — a visual signature unique to Bicchu blades. The school's smiths were also among the first in Japan to begin systematically dating their works, beginning in the early fourteenth century.

Why It Was Designated an Important Cultural Property

The Choseiji naginata received its designation on April 1, 1913 (Taisho 2), among the first major waves of cultural property designations under modern Japanese heritage law. Several qualities distinguish it from the many medieval blades that survive in temples and museums.

First, the inscription is unusually rich. Few naginata of the Northern and Southern Courts period preserve a clear maker's signature alongside a precise date and dedications to specific deities. The pairing of Sumiyoshi Daimyojin and Hachiman Daibosatsu — gods of safe travel and martial victory respectively — strongly suggests that the weapon was commissioned as a votive offering, perhaps by a warrior preparing for battle or seeking divine protection.

Second, the maker is significant. Naotsugu was a representative master of the Chu-Aoe period, and dated works by him are rare. The blade therefore stands as an important reference piece for scholars of Japanese sword history.

Third, the blade has remained largely intact in shape and inscription, despite being passed through nearly seven centuries of warfare, political upheaval, and shifting ownership. This combination of artistic, historical, and documentary value secured its place among the nationally recognized treasures of Japan.

The Blade's Dramatic Journey: From Battlefield to Temple

Perhaps the most compelling part of this naginata's story is the path it traveled in the late sixteenth century. The blade is associated with the Kitabatake clan, the medieval rulers of Ise Province who claimed descent from Kitabatake Chikafusa, a celebrated statesman of the Southern Court.

In 1576, on the orders of Oda Nobunaga, the eighth Kitabatake lord, Kitabatake Tomonori, was assassinated at his retreat at Mise Goshō in present-day Odai Town, Mie Prefecture — an event known as the Mise Incident. Tomonori was a renowned swordsman who had reportedly studied with the legendary master Tsukahara Bokuden and received the secret transmission of the "Single Stroke" technique, but he was betrayed by treacherous retainers who had tampered with his sword so that it could not be drawn from its scabbard.

According to local tradition, after the catastrophe, members of the Kitabatake family fled with this naginata into the mountains, taking refuge in the village of Tochihara in present-day Odai Town. There they performed memorial rites for their fallen lord. The blade was eventually entrusted to Choseiji Temple in Ouka, where it has been carefully preserved ever since. Whether the naginata was originally a possession of the Kitabatake or had been acquired during the family's struggles, its arrival at Choseiji marks the moment when a battlefield weapon was transformed into a sacred memorial object.

Highlights and What Makes the Blade Special

For visitors interested in the cultural and historical context surrounding the naginata, several features stand out as particularly meaningful.

The dual dedication of the blade — invoking both Sumiyoshi Daimyojin, a sea and travel deity venerated across Japan since ancient times, and Hachiman Daibosatsu, the syncretic Buddhist–Shinto god of warriors — is a vivid reminder of medieval Japan's blended religious worldview. Warriors of the period saw no contradiction in calling on deities of multiple traditions for protection.

The Aoe school's craftsmanship represents one of the high points of medieval Japanese metallurgy. While the Choseiji naginata is not regularly displayed, knowledge of the school's distinctive techniques deepens any visit to the surrounding region. Aoe blades typically feature a straight or gently undulating temper line and the hallmark sumihada grain pattern.

Finally, the blade's connection to the dramatic fall of the Kitabatake clan ties it directly to the tangible historical landscape of the area. Visitors can stand at the very places where this story unfolded.

Visitor Information

Choseiji Temple, the custodian of the naginata, is located in the Ouka district of Taki Town, in central Mie Prefecture. Please note that the naginata itself is not on public display. The temple has chosen to preserve this fragile and historically significant blade away from regular public access, both for conservation reasons and because Choseiji is a working community temple rather than a museum.

Travelers interested in the blade's story can nevertheless gain a vivid understanding of its world by visiting the nearby sites associated with the Kitabatake clan and the Mise Incident. The Mise Yakata ruins in Odai Town, the burial mound of Kitabatake Tomonori, and the Kitabatake Shrine all lie within a relatively short drive of Taki.

The town of Taki is reached most easily by train on the JR Kisei Line, with Sagaribu Station serving the central area. From Nagoya, access is possible via JR limited express services to Matsusaka, with connections from there. The surrounding region is rural and atmospheric, with quiet riverside paths and traditional townscapes.

Surrounding Attractions

Even though the naginata itself cannot be viewed, the area offers several richly historical sites that bring its world to life.

The Mise Yakata Ruins in Odai Town mark the spot where Kitabatake Tomonori was assassinated in 1576. The site is now a designated prefectural historic landmark, with stone steps, mossy terraces, and a small commemorative monument set among forested hillsides. A walking trail leads up to Chausuyama, the former lookout post, offering pleasant seasonal views of cherry blossoms in spring and red maples in autumn.

Nearby stands the Burial Mound of Kitabatake Tomonori, a quiet hillside memorial enshrining the lord and his loyal retainers, and the Kitabatake Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of the clan.

For visitors interested in broader cultural treasures, the town of Taki preserves several other Important Cultural Properties, including the wooden Eleven-Headed Kannon statue at Kinchokokuji Temple and historic painted scrolls at Saidoji Temple. The traditional townscape of Ouka, where Choseiji is located, also retains rows of old merchant houses worth exploring on foot. For travelers who continue toward the coast, Ise Grand Shrine — Japan's most sacred Shinto site — lies within a short drive to the east.