methinks, kind sir, that you are most correct:
a side-by-side comparison of mine & your photo.
yrs. lost a bit of detail on blowing it up to match.
i noted this pair on the internet:
notation being the ones decorated with hair are ceremonial, mine looks more like a user with function more important than form..... the description also mentions the butt spike used to stick it in the ground, it was not leaned against a wall. it said also the shaft would be made of 'some type of wood', guess rattan might be a good choice, they also note they were about 6 ft. long & 'effective for about 30 yards' so i guess they were meant to be throwable. they apparently were used in pairs, with the dao short sword for close work....