The naginata wasn't the most agile weapon in Japan's arsenal. Due to its long, large size, samurai warriors couldn't effectively use it in close-quarter combat. However, that's not what the naginata was designed for. Rather, it was used primarily in open spaces where a samurai warrior could engage enemies from a safe distance.

It's important to note that the naginata wasn't used strictly by samurai warriors. It was also used by foot soldiers, known as ashigaru, as well as warrior monks, known as sohei. For these reasons, there were a substantial number of naginata produced during feudal Japan, making it a common weapon on the battlefield.

Around Japan's Edo Period, the naginata's popularity as a practical weapon began to fade. With the polearm weapon receiving less use on the battlefield, the naginata found a different purpose. According to Wikipedia, people began purchasing and owning the naginata as a status symptom. Those who owned this polearm weapon were considered wealthy and high class.

The naginata is still incorporated in a variety of traditional Japanese martial arts. In naginatajutsu, for example, practitioners spar using practice versions of this classic Japanese polearm weapon.