Various martial arts manipulate weapon in attaining thier prescribed goal. Weapons are either used as tool for inflicting injury, defense, and escape. Certain martial arts use special kinds of weapons according to their specialty, just like Ninjutsu practitioners use various ninja weapons such as shuriken and kunai, and Kendo enthusiasts use shinai or bokken.

The Naginata is the characteristic Japanese polearm used from the 11th century forward and consisted of a katana quality blade attached to a wooden staff. Like other Japanese blades, the naginata was crafted of the highest quality materials and workmanship. The blade, which varied from two to four feet in length, was edged on the convex side for slashing and pointed at the tip for thrusts. The blade tang (portion which fits into the staff) was sometimes as long as the blade itself; thus, it was nearly impossible to break the blade off the staff. The naginata developed from an agricultural implement but evolved into a weapon style of its own. Japanese warriors studied naginatajutsu (the art of the curved blade), a martial art devoted exclusively to the employment of the naginata in combat. In the hands of an expert, the naginata was one of the fiercest polearms in history.

• that the Longsword is the Medieval hand-and-a-half sword, which forms the basis of most surviving Medieval fighting treatises?
• that Bastard Sword was developed in the mid 1400's as a form of long-sword with specially shaped grips for one or two hands?
• that the Broad Sword is a term popularly misapplied as a generic synonym for medieval swords?
• that the term Claymore is Gaelic for "claidheamh-more" or great sword?
• that the Tanto (短刀) is a common Japanese knife or dagger with a usually single or sometimes double sided blade length of about 15–30 cm (6"–12")?
• that the Gun is the long staff used in Chinese martial arts as a weapon and a routine exercise?
• that the Qiang is the Chinese spear, and is known as one of the four major weapons of Wushu?