Ups n Downs In Our World. Legends of Martialness So Do Swing. Fro and To. To Go Rounds Abouts also. Also Balls and Chains. Chain Swinging, Ball Slinging. Mores Than Simple Children’s Toys, Frustratory Devices. Of War. Martial. Weapons To Throw. Arounds Ways Alls Explained. Herein as well. Well as Slide-Shows thrown in.
Rock On A Rope.
The Yoyo. Thus Be. Be
it Slings, Catapults, Bolos. More so
and Other Variations too. Therein
That, This Theme. Boleros
That Rock well as well. Well as in Our World. Legends
Will Rocks On You. Rolling.?. Well,... ’tis also as well;..
The Sword of the Samurai. The Katana. Has been at the forefront of Japanese Culture, Society and Traditional Ways. At and out the Back. The back of the Blacksmiths Forge that is. Is that so detailed here. A lil’. Those enigmatic few. Master Makers. Of Swords and much mores. One more. Actually. Choice of i, Shiro. Of Yore. Is where this Intel Bytes #4 is pointed. Blacksmiths of Legends. In Triplicate. Plus One.
Smithing is in deed a Form of Alchemy. Purifying and focusing the Works on particular Aspects
of the Metal so obtained. Many forms of Smithing of Metals + co. As belows.
black / white / tin / red / brown / copper / silver /+
Along with the Bow+Arrow and Sword, The Spear,.. has long been a major part of the JAPANESE Martial Traditions and Ways. Basics, types and styles. Along with Our World Legends and Japan’s Legend of Origin, a glossary and Slide-show… all points examined herein indeed. Including the TENGU… the olden ninja instructors who seem a part of the world-wide FALLEN ANGELS LEGACY and Our World Legends.
ON THE WAY… THE WAY OF THE HORSE… AND SPEAR.
ARTICLE AND BONUS SLIDE-SHOW.
WEAPON INTEL #6.
Along with the BOW+ARROW and SWORD,
THE SPEAR,..
has long been a major part of the JAPANESE MARTIAL TRADITIONS AND WAYS.
This LONG-POLE or STICK upgrade is also an invaluable asset to your ARTS OF SELF-DEFENCE.
YARI …=… 槍
YARI …=… 槍 …SPEAR… VARIETY PACK. photocredit/thanks:shinobi-kai
The SPEAR is a (oft long) stick or pole with a sharp point or edge. This gives it an advantage in close combat even over THE SWORD. During many of the pre-gunnery battles, after the ARCHERS have darkened the heavens,..
come the SPEARMEN.
Swordsmen were oft dominated and decimated at the end of a SPEAR. A well practiced team of such Warriors become formidable opponents on the field. A defensive yet offensive spiky hedgehog WALL OF SPEARS effect,.. effective indeed.
SOLDIERS OF THE SPEAR… SPIKY INDEED. POINTED ALSO.
The modern MOVIE version of such ANCIENT Battles is very dramatically epitomised in THE 300 series of films,.. (a Shiro fav.btw ) for those interested in seeing over-dramatic and cinematic MARTIAL MAYHEM melodramatica, even pointed SPARTAN SPEAR Techniques. Indeed.
MOVIE MAYHEM… LEGENDS OF THE WAY OF THE SPEAR… SPARTA STYLE. photocredit/thanks:youtube
photocredit/thanks:youtube
photocredit/thanks:youtube
The SPEAR has length, more than sufficient to scatter opponents, deflect and parry other weapons as well as the applicable thrusting, snaring, striking, cutting and slashing type capabilities.
The nature of this ANCIENT Weaponry Form,
when combined with Tempered Blade Steel and relatively overall lightweight construction; ensures extreme maneuverability and versatility for the proficient and practiced (click).
Creating space and open distance which allows SELF-DEFENCE essentials, easier and further applied.
MALE SAMURAI… SPEAR OF THE WAY WARRIOR… TARGETING ARROWS INDEED. Woodcut Print of “Ronin (Masterless Samurai) Fending Off Arrows” – 1869 Artist- Yoshitoshi Taiso. photocredit/thanks:pinterest
AncientJapaneseMASTER BLACKSMITHS AND WEAPON MAKERS worked on SPEARS with the same renowned care and precision they put into the iconic SAMURAI SWORD and other BLADED WEAPONRY (click).
The SPEAR SHAFT was in no way disregarded, being constructed from sound + solid wood, of appropriate hardness, thickness and type.
Japanese EVERGREENOAK ( akagashi 赤樫 ) was predominantly used, valued for it’s natural uniform tight grain structure.
THIS IS A TREE… THE TRANSPIRER… WHAT A SPEAR LOOKS LIKE… BEFORE ITS A SPEAR. OAK OF JAPAN.
This was then prepped, seasoned and treated before being reinforced with binding, strips, wire and/or metal rings.
SPEARING IN ON A CLOSEUP OF SOME RING REINFORCEMENT/COMPONENTS FROM A SECTION OF THE SPEAR. Photo Credit/Thanks:samuraiantiqueworld
Usually at all the strategic areas, of contact and impact as well as the joins and stress absorption sections too. These could in turn, be finely and ornately decorated, to add to the overall awesome aesthetic quality also.
Several methods were also developed of securely attaching SHAFT + SPEAR-HEADdependent on such as BLADE-TANGlength, width and type.
No point… in losing the point here.
gifcredit/thanks:giphy CLICK TO SEE Our World LEGENDs OF AN EMPEROR… FOR THE LOVE OF SWORDS… BECOME THE BLACKSMITH’s APPRENTICE INDEED AND IN FACT TOO.
The YARI/SPEAR SHAFT, in general,.. comes in one of three cross-section/profile shapes.
ROUND : common/basic spear.
OVAL : bladed/naginata type.
SQUAREFACED : specialist type… facet number varies.
are the LONG POLE WEAPONS…as well as… The SPEAR TYPES OF ANCIENT JAPANs MARTIAL WAYS… Photo Credit/Thanks:MatthewAsh
THE POINT,
A large variety of SHEATHS protected the pointed end of SPEAR business.
Many were personalised,.. some ” standard issue type ” .
In fact,.. the LEGENDS of the YARI WAYS indicate that;
for long periods of HISTORY, IT WAS CLAN/MILITARY LAW:
to carry SHEATHED,.. a SPEAR’s-
naked SHINY SHARP STEEL bits…
presumably to cover up any accidental pointed intrusion…
into other people’s… business.
Point taken here… indeed.
COVER… THEN CARRY it seems.
So the LEGENDS say… about this SPEAR OF A MARTIAL WAY.
Photo Credit/Thanks:LX-121… YARI OF JAPAN… THE SPEAR. POINT-TYPE No.1 = STRAIGHT.
The SPEAR’s POINT too, came in a variety of SHAPE TYPE(s).
In general terms;
THE STRAIGHT TYPE.
THE SHAPED TYPE.
THE CURVED TYPE.
No.1 THE STRAIGHT TYPE… 槍 The atypical or basic SPEAR. A straight, aligned Spear-Head, usually Metallic and Double-Edged, forged and tempered for Martial use. Rounded Lance Types,.. Hand-Javelins too. Some variety in the Spear-Head shaping. Very ANCIENT Types were simply FIRE-HARDENED WOOD STICKS SHAPED TO A POINT. The other ( ” handle ” ) end was oft capped with metal and used accordingly also. Multi-purpose and double ended capabilities. SPEAR+SELF-DEFENCE indeed. Straight to the point and… point taken too. photocredit/thanks:wikimedia
No.2 THE SHAPED TYPE…THIS TYPE BE SASUMATA. photocredit/thanks:wikimedia
The SASUMATA and SPEAR POINT-TYPE No.2 variations = SHAPED… can indeed be non-lethal weaponry whilst still possessing high offensive/defensive potential. A stereo-typical olden police/guard ‘ restraining/capturing weapon ‘. With it’s long reach and the shaped catch area being made of metal, extremely useful too against even armored opponents. High-defensive structure and capabilities and intent. The STAFF/handle could be metal or wood, possibly with further attachments. As with others in this review; there are historically many with subtle yet very effective add-ons/variations. Tips, barbs, chain/rope attached, hook devices and more. This type of common-sense approach to a weapons development meant that most opponents could be confidently approached then somewhat easily levered or pressured against, as well as the opponent’s weapon if so req. With unique versatility, the SASUMATA, 刺股 a SHAPED SPEAR with a long history too, probably not as bloody as some. Not as pointed perhaps either,.. but still a classic. photocredit/thanks:tanakamaister
NO.3 = THE NAGINATA… SPEAR-POINT TYPE No.3 = CURVED. A JAP. Martial combo of SWORD+STICK whuch produces a SPEAR Type with formidable qualities and potential power adding to one’s SELF-DEFENCE. The Blade of the NAGINATA (aka nakamaki) curves alike the SAMURAI SWORD, though with more pronounced/wider curve as it approaches the blade-point. Like The Sword,.. THE NAGINATA 薙刀 was forged expertly by MASTER MAKERS. The proficiency of the Bushi… men and women both,.. though women tend to dominate the field… with this versatile and flowing Weapon, ensured the continuing development of the appropriate personal ARMOR to help annul it’s long and lean CURVED SPEARED and tempered, yet lethal Steel. Hopefully. Our World LEGENDS indeed. photocredit/thanks:wikimedia
SIDETRACKED AND SPOTLIGHT ON :
THE SASUMATA… 刺股
THE SHAPED SPEAR + co.
…cos… they got,..
NO POINT… AT ALL. Indeed.
A SHORT AND SHARP :
SLIDE-SHOW… by Shiro.
Main Article continues… down under…indeed.
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This WEAPON Type was used for much more than just making it’s point or clearing out and cutting thru, crowds of belligerent Samurai foe. Many variations…
had NO POINT at all.
Or many. Designs are oft unique. To snag and snare,.. hook and tear… push and pull and so forth.
The concept of maximum SELF-DEFENCE, with minimal offensive damage, combine to present a LENGTHY WEAPONRY TYPE more than capable of defending and saving lives. Including your own.
LONG STUFF SASUMATA… THE SPEAR WAY. photocredit/thanks:cephalophore
All at more than arms length indeed.
Such SHAPED SPEARSwere oft employed by POLICE FORCES,.. CASTLE GUARDS,.. FIRE MEN and others with a urgent need for crowd control. (click)
The WAYS OF THE SPEAR + co. involve a WEAPON Type that evolved with and from, several others. Input from stick and sword Arts in particular. This produced a very wide range of practitioners, who in turn, produced a vast array of methods and techniques into the various styles… of which there were many too. (click)
Martial WAR ideas and concepts were also incorporated, particularly in regards to new designs and so forth.
NAGINATA… Photo Credit/Thanks:wikia.com
This also meant, many LIVE BLADE DUELS AND CHALLENGES…
between BUSHI MASTERS and such like,..
oft meant incapacitation and death for one or both.
Usually both.
CLICK PHOTO TO SEE SHIRO’s Survival AID IDEAS… FIRST… NINE…
Over such time and the associated mounting loss of…
quite a few MASTERS…
whose body and aspirations had both been pointedly pierced,..
the WAY found another way…
A WAY WITH WOOD.
A LESSON IN WOOD… gifcredit/thanks:thenextbigthing
Many such events,.. and the SPEAR loving peepsinvolved in such… saw the simple life enhancing profit; of the SOFT WOOD BAMBOO and PADDED SPEAR WEAPONRY approach. They could still make their point… with their technique per se…
ON… but NOT IN the opponent’s body.
A great pointed idea indeed. Saves lives too…
thus great for one’s SELF-DEFENCE SPEAR WAYS.
Get that point across,.. woodenly indeed.
ANCIENT WEAPONRY OF JAPAN was oft training converted, thus simply…woodenly indeed. ARMOR helps also… Courtesy/Thanks: Archive/Getty Images.
Several related RYU such as the TENDO, HOZO and SHINKAGE continue to promote SPEAR TRADITIONS evolved from such as the BUSHI SPEAR WAYS.
This has consistently produced a high quality of SPEAR SYSTEM AND TECHNIQUES… to suit the times.
In the days of yore… and challenge galore…
yet, many of the experienced olden SWORDSMEN too,.. studiously AVOIDED any unnecessary point of confrontation with such students of the SPEAR WAYS.
SPEAR + SELF-DEFENCE it seems.
A fine pointed pair indeed.
RUN… WHEN IT’s TIME TO RUN. gifcredit/thanks:sohu
A WAY OF WARRIOR WOMEN.
A NAGINATA WARRIOR WOMEN OF THE WAY. Photo Credit/Thanks: rebloggy.com
Tis not the mere male here who deserves the credit for continuing a LEGENDARY WAY.
This WAY, this ART,.. of NAGINATA JUTSU/DO is one indeed where the WARRIOR WOMENexcel. Now and in days of old. Long has the nicknameTHE WOMENS SPEAR applied.
Many SAMURAI WOMEN, MILITARY AND COURT NOBLES too, took this bladed point to heart per se.
For long periods of HISTORY, all such femininity… by the time they were 18, were fully trained in all the basic WEAPONWAYS.
(… as a side-note,.. if all such womanhood were still similarly trained now… SELF-DEFENCE would be needed less against the crims… cos the gals would… know a lot more indeed.?. so Shiro sayeth it seems. )
Ladies in Waiting of the Chiyoda Castle: Sword Practice and Puppet Kyôgen Toyohara Chikanobu (Japanese, 1838–1912) Period: Meiji period (1868–1912) Date: 1895 Culture: Japan Medium: Triptych from an album of polychrome woodblock prints; ink and color on paper. photocredit/thanks:pinterest
Usually now only referred to within NAGINATA DO; the WEAPON was also oft taught and trained with, in combo with the TRADITIONALJAP. DAGGER aka TANTO. This type of approach ensures thus,.. a good immersion in the aspects of both short and long WEAPONRY… at the same time.!.
presumably just in case your first point misses the target.
Feminine wiles indeed. Point taken,.. first and last.
Studio portraits of samurai martial arts practitioners, ca. 1875 by Baron Raimund von Stillfried-Ratenicz.
A discipline whereby appropriate fundamental and balanced postures smoothly flow into movements akin to martial dance, yet fully coordinating weapon and warrior into hopefully impenetrable SELF-DEFENCE.
The basic displacements and positions involve both physical and mental concentration and integration to fully utilise the BLADED aspects of such LONG WEAPONRY appropriately,.. and not…
fall on your own pointed ends.
A NAGINATA… WHAT A WAY INDEED. PhotoCredit/Thanks:tumblr
Training LIVE BLADED, now replaced with BAMBOO and OAK replicas; such warrior women of the martial arts continue to link to the past by integrating such old and new concepts and ideas. Thus keeping a LEGENDARY WAY… traditionally alive.
The rich and long heritage of THE WAY OF THE SPEAR harkens back to the ORIGIN LEGEND of JAPAN itself.
Included in such HISTORICAL collections as THE CHRONICLES OF JAPAN,.. (compiled circa 1286 though…) dating back at least to the 8th century, when such as the KOJIKI and NIHON SHOKI Records were first written down and kept as official documents (click).
A tale which combines LEGENDARY WEAPONS, THE GODS, DIVINE BEINGS and the MANKIND CREATION EVENT.
THE HEAVENLY WEAPON of legendary choice here, is THE SPEAR.
THE WAY OF THIS SPEAR OF LEGEND was to use a Technique of a ” dripping ” SPEAR…
a SPEAR dripping with LIFE that is. Creative indeed.
By the Gods.
Postscript of The Age of Gods, chapters from The Chronicles of Japan, 1286Photo Credit/Thanks: wikimediacommons.
THE LEGENDS SAY;
The 12 Gods born in seven generations were stirring with creative energy.
A place to play with such,.. was soon so decreed.
The drifting Lands were to be made a Home… in fact… indeed.
Creation summoned,..
a divine pair appeared,.. in this LEGENDARY tale-
Male divine IZANAGI,.. divine IZANAMI, female.
The Gods summoned once more…
with a flourish; and many more than just one GEM,..
the somewhat phallic symbol of 天沼矛 AMENONUHOKO…
THE HEAVENLY JEWELED SPEAR… did appear… to all them.
THE LEGENDARY HEAVENLY SPEAR OF JAPAN : AMENONUHOKO …WITH A PAIR OF DIVINE BEINGS AND SO ON… DIVINE RED IS IZANAMI,.. ONE IN BLACK IS IZANAGI… NOTE THE SPEAR IS OFT DEPICTED A NAGINATA WAY… BTW. PhotoCredit/Thanks:claseingles123.
Stretching out from THE FLOATING BRIDGE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH ( …the AMENOUKIHASHI… ) the divine pair lowered the SPEAR OF HEAVENand let it penetrate the churning waters below (click).
Mysterious actions such as these,..
soon had the desired effect it seems.
By simply withdrawing the now soaked SPEAR… as drips oozed, cascaded and fell back,.. to land below;
THE ISLANDS OF JAPAN… did appear and… grow.
Tis so… these of Our World LEGENDS do say,..
and now you too…
do know.
FEMALE WARRIOR OF THE WAYS WITH NAGINATA… Japanese Painting of TOMOE GOZEN by Shitomi Kangetsu. Image on SILK; EDO era, Courtesy/Thanks TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM.
A SPEAR AND WARRIOR WAY. Courtesy/Thanks: Archive/Getty Images.
THE YARI : 槍
THE TENGU: 天狗
NINPO : 忍法
SHINOBI : 忍び
NINJA : 忍者
女 KUNOICHI : くノ一
FOR A POINTED LEGENDARY LOOK AT NINPO ORIGINS… CLICK PHOTO TO SEE…WHERE THE TENGU SPEARMAN BE.?. photocredit/thanks:bujinkan
For those with an interest… the ORIGIN LEGENDS OF JAPAN resonate in some ways with many other OLDEN TALESfrom diverse regions of the globe. The Gods are usually a group or council of twelve (like ZODIAC.?.)… the divine tech used is o so mysterious… or presented that way…
and the very name of AMEN.?.
from HEAVEN in the SPEAR’s and BRIDGE’s nomenclature. At the time of writing… i have yet to determine whether this name is a western christianized adoption or originally scribed that way etc.
…THE GODS… Greek per se. photocredit/thanks:gk12
AMEN of course, being directly related to the Ancient EGYPTIAN Gods and Watchers (click).
Other items of pointed interest: The TENGU, pictured 2nd photo above, training in red with wings… taught the early SHINOBI in many WAYS…
including THE SPEAR… were also said to be divine beings generated by the Gods. Western Traditions simply refer to them as THE FALLEN ANGELS. These Gods and/or divine beings per se show up in some far away places at times it seems indeed.
MANKIND’s ORIGINS AND LEGENDS. INANNA… GODDESS OF LOVE… AND MORE.
For example, a previous research article found one of the original GODDESSES OF SUMER; which was also a gaggle of 12 Gods, by the name of IN-ANNA (click),.. refer photo above… was the same as the LEGENDARY HEROINE founder of IN-DIA .
A goddess with many fine points it seems.
LEGENDindeed.
Just like… THE WAY OF THE SPEAR.
photocredit/thanks:inprofitbiz A SWORD + SPEAR… OF ANOTHER DESTINY AND LEGEND… STILL POINTED… INDEED.
