After transcribing the ritual texts, the members of Nogizaka 46 took a brief break and began to familiarize themselves with the naginata used for the afternoon exercises.

Naginata, a type of ancient Japanese long-handled weapon. From the Nara period to the Heian period, it was used by monks and soldiers to protect temples. From the end of the Kamakura shogunate period to the Muromachi shogunate period, it became the main long-handled combat weapon on the battlefield. At the time of the Onin Rebellion, it was gradually replaced by spears because it was not suitable for intensive combat.

In the Edo period, the Edo shogunate forbade samurai to carry naginatas for a period of time. The transmission of the naginata was difficult, but the ban was only targeted at the "Great Naginata", so the Naginata was passed down as a "compulsory martial art for women of samurai". As a result, the women-only martial art "Women's Naginata" emerged as a school of naginata swordplay. From the Taisho period to the post-war period, the art of naginagi was widely used as a form of bushido for women. In modern times, it has flourished as a sporting sport.

"Naginata is a martial art that flourished in the Edo period after the Tokugawa shogunate banned samurai from carrying naginata, and it was usually practiced by women." Wakadie, who changed into a shrine maiden costume, tied her long hair with a white rope, stood heroically in the underground dojo, holding a naginata in her right hand, and taught the members of Nogizaka 46 the essentials of naginata: "Before the Edo period, naginata was mostly used by monks and soldiers to protect temples. It used to be a seven-foot or five-foot long sword, but it has evolved into the current one- or three-foot blade long-handled weapon. ”

After blowing up the wide sleeves of the shrine maiden costume with a rope, Nana Hashimoto, who looked quite capable, struggled to hold the naginata in her hand and listened carefully to Wakadie's guidance. While listening, Nana Hashimoto couldn't help but look at the naginata in his hand. The black lacquered wooden handle is the size of an egg, and it is very smooth and comfortable to hold in your hand. Attached to the wooden handle was a sharp blade three feet long. The sharp blade and heavy weight made Nana Hashimoto know that what he was holding in his hand was a real murder weapon.

Just when Nana Hashimoto didn't look at the naginata in her hand, Wakadie began to instruct the members on how to familiarize themselves with the naginata in their hands.

"During the Edo period, the shrine also taught the shrine maidens the art of naginata, and the school of swordsmanship was called Rakura-ryu at the time." Wakadie explained to the members of Nogizaka 46, "The name is due to the fact that the first ancestor of the genre at that time used a sword technique under the cherry blossom tree to roll off the petals of the cherry blossoms that bloomed on the branches, and slashed the enemy among the flying petals. The naginata used by the head office is in the shape of a three-foot blade, which is more aggressive and more dangerous at the same time. Therefore, when you are familiar with the naginata in your hand, please be careful to avoid accidental injury. ”

Hearing Ruodie say this, all the members nodded seriously, and at the same time carefully looked at the naginata in their hands. After all, for these delicate girls, this real murder weapon is the first time they have touched it. Even Takayama Ichimi, who once practiced kendo, was only exposed to modern sports using bamboo swords.

Looking at the worried eyes of the members, Ruodie smiled and said, "Of course, the reason why everyone has access to the real sword is because the real naginata must be used for the dance in front of the gods required for the ceremony. As for the afternoon exercises, everyone will use a wooden knife instead, so don't worry. ”

Hearing this, the members couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, if they used real knives to practice, these members were really worried about causing accidental injuries.

Looking at the members of Nogizaka 46, who were a little nervous, Wakadie took out two paper figures from her arms, put them to her lips and blew them, and threw them out.

The paper figures fell to the ground and turned into two shrine maidens holding naginatas, standing opposite each other. The miko maiden who changed into a paper figure also wore the wide sleeves of her maiden costume tied up, and she was wearing black lacquer armor, a sword stuck in her waist, and an arrow in a quiver behind her back.

Looking at the summoned shrine maiden, the members of Nogizaka 46 all looked at Wakadie with some confusion.

Ruodie pointed to the summoned witch in front of her and introduced, "What you see in front of you is the former war witch of this Taisha shrine. You should also dress up in this way for prayer ceremonies. Unlike the shrine maidens of other shrines, the shrine maidens of this Taisha shrine are not only proficient in kyudo and kendo, but also skilled in the use of naginata. In the war-torn era, the shrine maidens used these things to protect the shrine from secular interference. After saying this, Wakadie stepped aside, gave up her position in the middle of the dojo, and said to the members of Nogizaka 46: "The purpose of the little girl summoning these two war witches is to let them show you the true appearance of the Taisha Sakura Ryunagi Sword Technique here. ”

After speaking, Ruodie slapped her palms twice, and with the light sound of applause, the expressions of the two war witches who were originally dull suddenly became vivid.

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At the end of the morning's practice, Rina Ikoma, who was sweating profusely, leaned against the wall of the dojo a little tired, and the long naginata was held in her arms.

Holding a bottle of water in her hand, Ikoma Rina gulped it down, replenishing the water lost by her body. Although the morning practice was just to familiarize herself with the naginata and prepare for the performance required for the ceremony, the heavy weight of the naginagi still made Rina Ikoma, who was still a child, tired.

Leaning against the wall of the dojo, this girl with short hair who looked more like a teenager couldn't help but recall that a few days ago when she called back to her hometown, her grandfather heard that Qianye was going to teach her Guliu swordsmanship.

When his grandfather, who had always been serious, heard that he was considered by the onmyoji to have a kendo talent and was going to teach him Guliu swordsmanship, he was unexpectedly excited, and said directly to himself on the phone: "Rina! You are a child of the Ikoma family, and if in ancient times, you would be the daughter of a samurai family. Although the Ikoma family has declined, the Akita Ikoma family is still the descendants of Ikoma's kinmasa. The existence of this Taisha is also a very mysterious existence in the family classics, and grandpa can't tell you too much.

Rina, remember, if you can learn from that Onmyoji-sama, or even have the opportunity to worship him as a teacher, you must seize this opportunity! It's a rare honor, and in ancient times, it was even a glory that could revitalize the Ikoma family! You have to take advantage of the opportunity! ”

Thinking of his grandfather's words, and then thinking about his performance on the show that day, Rina Ikoma became a little unconfident. Although he showed talent, compared to Nishino Nanase, Nana Hashimoto and Mai Shiraishi, he barely succeeded after three attempts, and he was really not talented, not to mention that compared to the three, even Takayama Kazumi, who was also considered to have a talent for kendo, was better than him.

Would Chiba-san really be willing to take him as an apprentice? Who is Chiba-san? How excited would his grandfather be? The revitalization of the family, for the young Ikoma Rina, could not understand the meaning of this sentence, but Ikoma Rina knew that if he could learn from Chiba-san, his grandfather would be very happy. Thinking of this, Rina Ikoma stood up and walked towards Nanami Hashimoto, who was chatting with Mai Shiraishi on the side.

Nanami Hashimoto seems to be arguing with Mai Shiraishi about something, and the two seem to mention the name of Nanase Nishino.

"Alright, Mai, don't be angry. I know the situation of Nanasai, and I will talk to Qianye. Nanami Hashimoto seemed to be soothing Mai Shiraishi. Rina Ikoma didn't care too much about the topic that Nanami Hashimoto and Mai Shiraishi were discussing, and walked up to Nanami Hashimoto and said to her, "Hashimoto-san, can I ask you something?" ”

Nana Hashimoto looked at Rina Ikoma with a serious face in some surprise, and was a little strange why she suddenly used honorifics for herself, but she still said kindly to Rina Ikoma: "Ichikuma, is there something wrong?" And you don't need such a formal title, just call me Nanamin. ”

Rina Ikoma nodded, but still said with a serious face: "Nanamin, I want to ask you what kind of person Chiba-san is. ”

Nanami Hashimoto glanced at Mai Shiraishi with a strange look in her eyes, looked at Rina Ikoma with an inexplicable meaning and asked, "Ichikuma, what are you going to do when you ask Senya-san?" Do you have anything to do with him? ”

Rina Ikoma didn't notice the strange eyes of Nanami Hashimoto and Mai Shiraishi, nodded and said seriously, "It's because of the last show." Last time in 'Where' was Nogizaka? ', Chiya-san said that I have a talent for kendo and wants to teach me Guliu swordsmanship. I told my grandfather about it, and he wanted me to learn from Chiya-san. But I don't know much about Chiba-san, so I want to ask you, after all, Nanamin, you are the most familiar person with Chiba-san among the members. So, please. After saying that, Ikoma Rina bowed violently to Nanami Hashimoto.

Looking at Rina Ikoma who suddenly bowed to him, Nana Hashimoto was not startled, and hurriedly said to Rina Ikoma: "No need to be so polite, Ichikuma." Nanami Hashimoto patted her chest and looked at Rina Ikoma who straightened up in anticipation, Nanami Hashimoto still answered her question seriously: "Senya-san is not a very serious person. He has a more easy-going personality and is very talkative, but occasionally likes to play tricks on people, and will do some pranks that will make you cry and laugh. I don't know much about him, and if you want to learn more about him, I suggest you go to Miss Ruodie. She knows more about Qianye-san's words than I do. ”

Rina Ikoma bowed to Nanami Hashimoto again and said gratefully, "Thank you very much, Hashimoto-san." ”

Nana Hashimoto looked at Rina Ikoma helplessly, and said with some dejection: "It's all said that you don't need to say honorifics, just call me Nanamin!" ”

"Ah, I'm sorry! Nanamin! After saying that, Rina Ikoma bowed again.