What does full-tang construction mean on a naginata?
Updated Mar 2026
Full-tang means the steel of the blade extends as a single continuous piece through the entire length of the handle shaft, rather than being joined, pinned, or bonded at a socket. On a naginata - where the handle is substantially longer than on a katana - this is a meaningful structural distinction. The tang is typically secured within the shaft with wooden pegs called mekugi and sometimes reinforced with an adhesive resin. The result is a collectible that holds together under its own weight and the stresses of display handling without joint flex or separation over time. It is the construction standard that distinguishes a quality collectible from a decorative replica with a short inserted tang.
