Japanese Spear - Hira-sankaku Omi-no-yari

VANDOO · 11th July 2009, 11:47 PM

CONGRADULATIONS LEE

SUCH FINDS ARE WHAT KEEPS THE COLLECTING PASSION HOT
I LIKE IT A LOT AND ITS FOR SURE IT IS AN OLD WARHORSE THAT COULD TELL MANY INTERESTING STORIES

M ELEY · 12th July 2009, 02:53 AM

You mention that it is a "tired specimen", Lee, so I will gladly put it to bed in my collection if you wish -

I think that by definition, many of the weapons of Japan are tired because they were recycled and handed down over many generations. As such, I would never see this as a deterrant. Due to financial constraints several years ago, I sold off some of my Japanese pieces including a very tired wak with darkened/scratched blade, stained/worn wrap and ed scabbard. Many Japanese collectors would have turned away disapprovingly, but this piece really had character. It was koto, pre-1590, and that said something to me. Thanks for posting your find.
Mark

Gavin Nugent · 12th July 2009, 08:47 AM

Congrats Lee,

As everyone has noted it is a rare and lovely piece and complete to boot!

Arms of this nature are seldom spoken of in these forums and as I am not a student of Japanese arms I will certainly enjoy what comes to light on the subject.
I have however been given a great honour here in OZ to view and handle the remainder of a famous collection of Japanese items (the arms long since gone). The individual who founded the collection was a guest of the Meiji emperor over many years and by decent the remainder of the collection is now close to me, some pieces have also been given to me to place amongst my own collections.
Through the course of this discussion, if anyone well versed in the arts and markings of Japanese items could PM me or someone could point me in the direction of an expert it would be appreciated.
I sit and wait to enjoy what may be revealed here Lee, I always enjoy the relevence of images found in both art and weapons.

Regards

Gav

Rich · 12th July 2009, 11:40 AM

Gav -

Check out the Nihonto Message Board at:

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/index.php

Several well versed Aussies on the board and a lot of
good, knowledgeable folks.

Rich S

The Japanese Sword Index
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

Jeff Pringle · 13th July 2009, 11:48 AM

Nice score, Lee!

That is in much better shape than the similar “big spear with two lives” I ran across a while back…

stekemest · 13th July 2009, 12:15 PM

Gav, if you need help concerning japanese swords, you might show up at the "Sydney Token Kai", an Australian sword study group:

http://www.sydneytokenkai.com/

Swords are best appraised when seen in person.

Lee · 14th July 2009, 09:03 AM

Again, thanks all for your comments. Rest assured that while I may now be awake in the middle of the night, I am not fretting about the tiredness of the yari. I am delighted to have it. On the basis of the patination of the tang, I do not believe this to be a shinshinto revival piece, although I suppose it would not be impossible for a samurai to have had a new spear made and then at once worn away by heavy polishing to create an instant 'family heirloom' to enhance the spectacle of his long annual pilgrimage to Edo.

12th July 2009, 08:47 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Congrats Lee Congrats Lee, As everyone has noted it is a rare and lovely piece and complete to boot! Arms of this nature are seldom spoken of in these forums and as I am not a student of Japanese arms I will certainly enjoy what comes to light on the subject. I have however been given a great honour here in OZ to view and handle the remainder of a famous collection of Japanese items (the arms long since gone). The individual who founded the collection was a guest of the Meiji emperor over many years and by decent the remainder of the collection is now close to me, some pieces have also been given to me to place amongst my own collections. Through the course of this discussion, if anyone well versed in the arts and markings of Japanese items could PM me or someone could point me in the direction of an expert it would be appreciated. I sit and wait to enjoy what may be revealed here Lee, I always enjoy the relevence of images found in both art and weapons. Regards Gav

14th July 2009, 09:03 AM	#7
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 940	I think this is probably the 'real deal', but... Again, thanks all for your comments. Rest assured that while I may now be awake in the middle of the night, I am not fretting about the tiredness of the yari. I am delighted to have it. On the basis of the patination of the tang, I do not believe this to be a shinshinto revival piece, although I suppose it would not be impossible for a samurai to have had a new spear made and then at once worn away by heavy polishing to create an instant 'family heirloom' to enhance the spectacle of his long annual pilgrimage to Edo.

11th July 2009, 11:47 PM	#1
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRADULATIONS LEE SUCH FINDS ARE WHAT KEEPS THE COLLECTING PASSION HOT I LIKE IT A LOT AND ITS FOR SURE IT IS AN OLD WARHORSE THAT COULD TELL MANY INTERESTING STORIES

12th July 2009, 02:53 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	You mention that it is a "tired specimen", Lee, so I will gladly put it to bed in my collection if you wish - I think that by definition, many of the weapons of Japan are tired because they were recycled and handed down over many generations. As such, I would never see this as a deterrant. Due to financial constraints several years ago, I sold off some of my Japanese pieces including a very tired wak with darkened/scratched blade, stained/worn wrap and ed scabbard. Many Japanese collectors would have turned away disapprovingly, but this piece really had character. It was koto, pre-1590, and that said something to me. Thanks for posting your find. Mark

12th July 2009, 11:40 AM	#4
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Gav - Check out the Nihonto Message Board at: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/index.php Several well versed Aussies on the board and a lot of good, knowledgeable folks. Rich S The Japanese Sword Index http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

13th July 2009, 11:48 AM	#5
Jeff Pringle Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 189	Nice score, Lee! That is in much better shape than the similar “big spear with two lives” I ran across a while back…

13th July 2009, 12:15 PM	#6
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 183	Gav, if you need help concerning japanese swords, you might show up at the "Sydney Token Kai", an Australian sword study group: http://www.sydneytokenkai.com/ Swords are best appraised when seen in person.