SPEARS,.. even

 THE GREAT SPEARS,..

have long been a major part of the JAPANESE MARTIAL TRADITIONS AND WAYS.

Our World Legends as well.

 

As a general WEAPONRY TYPE,..(click)

referred to as THE YARI.

 

 

This LONG-POLE or STICK upgrade is also an invaluable asset to your ARTS OF SELF-DEFENCE.

 YARI …=…  槍

 

ARTICLE AND BONUS SLIDE-SHOW.

WEAPON INTEL #6a

 

 

 

 3 LEGENDS MORE-

 THE 3 GREAT SPEARS

 OF JAPAN.

 

 

Amongst the LEGENDS OF THE WAY OF THE SPEAR, there are several that pointedly stand out. A trio of stand-outs have, over time, earned themselves the title of GREATness.

Known collectively as THE THREE GREAT SPEARS OF JAPAN,..

they have become iconic each+all…

representative and symbols of authority of importance, memorial, remembrance and continued future hope. Such designations honor THE SPEAR‘s history and usage in playing it’s part in the nation building of JAPAN.

 

 

LEGENDS indeed and in fact too.

So with no more ado… alphabetically,

introducing… to you;

 

• NIHONGO
• OTEGINE

and

• TONBOGIRI

 

= THE 3 GREAT SPEARS OF JAPAN.

= TENGA SAN MEI SOU  天下三名槍

 

Named as such in the ‘ KYŌHŌ MEIBUTSU CHŌ ‘ , a listing of famous BLADES compiled by the HON’AMI FAMILY circa 1715-25.

This doc., signed off by 本阿弥光忠 HONAMI MITSUTADA;

was compiled at the behest of the then current TOKUGAWA rulers/government via the SHŌGUN YOSHIMUNE 徳川吉宗.

The 享保名物帳 listing details the BLADES considered to be of important historical significance from the HEIAN to YOSHINO periods of JAPANESE HISTORY (app. 800-1400 A.D.).

 

  A TRIO OF GREATness…

 

A LOVINGLY,..

LEGENDARY CRAFTED TRIO BY

藤原正真

MASTER-SMITH MASAZANE FUJIWARA,..

 

in his early career,

an apprentice of  HEIANJÔ NAGAYOSHI 平安城長吉

and later,.. of the

村正  MURAMASA SCHOOL + TRADITION (click).

 

3 LEGENDS MORE…

and something to… sing about indeed.

 

THE GREAT SPEAR : 日本号

 NIHONGO.

 

 

THE GREAT SPEAR : 御手杵

 OTEGINE.

 

 

THE GREAT SPEAR : 蜻蛉切

 TONBOGIRI.

 

 

 

  A LEGENDARY BLADE-SMITH.

 TRAVELS + TRIALS

 BY FIRE INDEED.

 

 

The LEGENDS and chronicles make clear that many many WEAPONS of fine manufacture and historical importance have been lost over the ages.

Mostly, BY FIRE.

Some 75+ are noted in the document ” KYOHO… ” alone (click). A large number of these may well have been over 1000 years old as this record only contains olden weaponry documentation.

 

 

 

BLADE-SMITH MASAZANE was oft recorded as travelling to and from such as NARA and KYOTO and along the JAP. eastern side from YOSHIDA to ODAWARA and EDO.

He originally appears to be a student of the EISHO MASTER-SMITH HEIANJÔ NAGAYOSHI 平安城長吉 who is also recorded in the LEGENDS + etc as a co-traveller and fellow craftsman.

When in the ISE province they worked together with MASTER-SMITH MURAMASA 村正 .

 

 

The SWORD-WORK of the MASTER-SMITHS has also long been appreciated.

A ruler of the near coast-based Castle YOSHIDA,

酒井忠次 SAKAI TADATSUGU 1527-96; who was one of the FOUR TOKUGAWA GUARDIANS 徳川四天王 , certainly agreed.

Crossing the path of a WILD BOAR, the Castellan had occasion to unveil, unleash and ultimately, use his latest useful MASAZANE creation. Indeed… and in fact too.

So these LEGENDS say.

 

 

The BLADE was indeed worked well and…

worked well on the Boar… as well.

Good work indeed.

 

Done well,?. yes please.!.

 

 

In a show of appreciation the Castle Chief had the BLADE renamed “ INOKIRI “… = the Boar Cutter of MASAZANE.

This Title was then engraved/inlayed on the BLADE-TANG in commemoration 猪切 .

 

 

 

  REF-NOTE:

For those with an interest…

A modern reprint of THE KYŌHŌ MEIBUTSU CHŌ can be found in TŌKEN MEIBUTSU CHŌ 刀剣名物帳  by TSUJIMOTO TADAO, 1970.

 

Also of note:

 

The reproduction of ancient metal forging and makes, continues to fascinate and interest many. There are some who go even deeper into the methods and ways of this ancient ART.

One such is SWORD-SMITH KUNIMASA of HYUGA city.

He is a Traditional taught SMITH, now working in MIYAZAKI, JAPAN.

 

 

The pieces he creates  are oft masterful, especially in regards to the looks of the HAMON in which he accentuates with a cloves and cherry blossom type theme and display. This he says,.. (click)…

is a dedication to both old and new… his mentor…

MASTER-SMITH KOBAYASHI and the

LEGENDARY MAKER NAGAYOSHI (mentioned earlier = co-traveller MASAZANE…).

Please feel free to visit his site linked above to view and read more on this matter indeed. LEGEND.

 

 

  BONUS SLIDE-SHOW : A

SIX+ PACK OF SPEARS.

 

TYPES CURVED,..STRAIGHT,

SHAPED + THRICE GREAT.

 

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Till next…