Original Edo Period Japanese Handmade Yari Polearm Blade in Resting Handle with Lacquered Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. A yari (槍) is a traditionally-made Japanese blade (nihonto) in the form of a spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. Spears are used throughout the world in different forms, but as with all Japanese edged weapons, they feature handmade blades made from Tamahagane (玉鋼) Steel. There are many different types of Yari, based on the usage, style, size, and so forth. Yari blades were classified based on shape, and this is a Hira Sankaku Yari (平三角槍) type, which have a point that resembles a narrow spike with an isosceles-triangle shaped cross-section. This blade shape is compact and very strong, noted for it’s armor-piercing abilities.

This example dates from the Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country’s 300 regional daimyo. We believe the blade to be from the mid 18th century, based on the patination on the tang. The blade is unsigned 無名 (mumei), or “anonymous”, as were many high quality mades made during Japanese history.

This yari is mounted on a “Resting” display handle measuring 24 1/4”, giving a total length of 34″ inches when installed. Normally these would be in a much longer shaft, but that was only for actual use in combat, where they were used for castle defense or use in the field against soldiers on horseback. It has a typical design wooden saya (scabbard) with a lovely lacquer finish, though we assume it is recent production due to condition.

The blade has the following period correct features:

– The hole in the tang (meguki-ana) is punched, and not drilled.
– Folded steel blade – fold lines are evident on the body and spine of blade, as well as grain typical of folded steel.
– Visible vibrant temper line (“hamon”) running full length of blade cutting edge.
– Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.

The Blade of this example is 9″ long, from the tip (kissaki) to the end of the edge, and the overall length including the tang is 18 3/8“. The polish is in excellent condition, and the edge is still quite sharp. There are just a few minor edge bends that we can see, and very little oxidation or wear. The “bottom” of the blade has the standard BO’HI (棒樋 – large or wide groove) fuller, which is very well executed. The blade has a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with Kiri (cut) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The blade shows a clear SUGUHA (直刃 or straight) temper line (刃文 – HAMON), which shows lots of internal activity, and just a bit of undulation on the edge. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The body of the blade (JI) also shows hada (grain), which is a very nice ITAME (板目 – wood grain) pattern. There are also KIZU (blade wounds) such as WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits, artifacts only possible with a traditional handmade blade such as this. This is really a great blade, with lots of aspects to enjoy. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display and appreciate are definitely in demand.

The fittings of the naginata are quite simple, with a two piece “Resting” handle, which looks to be fairly recent. in place by a single wooden MEKUGI (peg), which looks to be original to the scabbard. The saya (Scabbard) is of the typical style, plated with black enamel lacquer, bearing a gold Yotsu-meyui Crest (four squares with dots), one of several linked to the prominent Sasaki clan (佐々木氏). It measures 14″ x 2 3/8″ at the widest, and tapers gently towards the middle. This looks to be a recent production scabbard, but it is definitely of high quality.

A fantastic Edo Period Japanese Yari Polearm Blade in excellent condition, ready to display! Comes complete in a very nice synthetic fabric bag.

Specifications:

Blade Length: 18 3/8“ Overall
Blade shape: Hira Sankaku Yari (平三角槍)
Edge Length: 9″
Tang Length: 8 3/8″
Overall length: 34″
Handle Length: 24 1/4″
Scabbard Dimensions: 14” x 2 5/8”

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Japanese blade (日本刀 – Nihonto) is unique because it is forged from multiple pieces of folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The traditional Japanese blade and mountings have grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.