Naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. It has become associated with women and in modern Japan it is studied by women more than men whereas in Europe and Australia Naginata is practiced predominantly by men this is however only simply a reflection of the martial arts demographics of Europe, where there is no historical association - as there is in Japan that naginatajutsu is for women. A naginata consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade on the end; it is similar to the Chinese Guan Dao or European glaive or Russian sovnya. Usually it also had a sword-like guard between the blade and shaft.