A bit off topic but I found a Yari

[JackDo]

Hi everyone,

I recently acquired an yari blade and would really appreciate some help identifying it.
The blade has a signature (mei) ?

Here are some details :

Blade length: 10.5 cm
Maximum width: 2.5 cm
Tang (nakago) length: 7.5 cm

The tang shows two mekugi-ana, but one appears to be only a marking hole (not fully drilled through).

The blade is now completely dull, with no remaining sharp edge.

The steel shows a dark, aged patina, but no visible hamon under normal light.

The overall form feels similar to a late Edo-period su-yari, but I’m not certain.

I’ve attached several photos showing the mei, tang, and cross-section.
I wonder if anyone might ?
Or if it could be a later piece or reproduction made in traditional style.

Thank you very much for your time and expertise.

-Jack

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm… I tend to agree with your final thoughts above.

[Brian]

Looks genuine to me, but in really poor condition. I don't think you'll get a mei out of that remnant.
Not all of these have a hamon, some are through-hardened. I'd make a short shirasaya for it and display it. Don't see anything there suggesting a fake or repro.

[Bugyotsuji]

The pitting on the kerakubi neck flange raised a warning flag for me. Blade and kerakubi should both be mirror smooth, at least in places.
A pre-polishing Yari?

Someone has messed around with the mekugi hole and dremel markings…(?) unless that is 山 and an attempt to erase it?

I’ve seen modern Chinese ‘rusted’ arrowheads, so I’m reserving final judgement for the time being.

[JackDo]

Thank you very much, Brian and Piers — that’s a very helpful and thoughtful observation.
You’re right, the kerakubi area does have some pitting, and I also noticed the uneven surface under certain lighting.
It might have been roughly cleaned at some point before I found it, but I can’t be sure.

I really appreciate your cautious approach — I’m here to learn and not to prove anything,
so any further comments or comparison examples would be very welcome.

[ROKUJURO]

Jack,

there is always a possibility that a was in a fire and damaged.

Blades should always be presented tip-upwards, especially the NAKAGO. This would make reading a signature easier.

[Bugyotsuji]

Hmmm…. Fire, a possibility I hadn’t considered. The proportions do look right.

[ROKUJURO]

When the corrosion is heavy and no HAMON can be seen, there is sometimes a fire involved.

[JackDo]

Thank you very much, Jean and Piers — that’s a fascinating possibility I hadn’t thought of.
Fire damage would certainly explain the deep pitting and the loss of any visible hamon.
I’m glad to know the proportions still look right, at least structurally.

I’ll make sure to photograph and present blades tip-up from now on — thank you for pointing that out, Jean.

I also wanted to ask about the intended type or purpose of this yari.
It feels quite short, heavy, and now very dull — would that originally have been a combat yari,
or could it have been one of the shorter police or guard types used in later Edo?
Or perhaps it simply lost its sharpness due to the fire and corrosion over time?

[JackDo]

Hello everyone,

I recently found another yari with a very interesting shape — it looks like a sankaku (triangular) piercing type, almost like an awl designed to punch through armor.
The blade length is about 15 cm, the nakago about 23 cm, and the maximum width only 1.7 cm, which makes it quite slim and compact compared to most standard yari.

There are some impact marks and a small chip on one edge, as well as pressure dents along the ridge, suggesting it may have struck. The tang bears a mei, although it has been softened a bit by time.

It also seems that the previous owner or seller cleaned off some rust on the blade, leaving a partially bright surface while the nakago retains its old patina.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on its possible age, school, and origin.

Thank you for your time and expertise!

Best regards,
Jack!

[ROKUJURO]

NEVER touch a blade with your bare fingers!

It looks like a variant of a (damaged?) SANKAKU YARI.

Edited November 11 by ROKUJURO

[Bugyotsuji]

Fairly common Hira-sankaku Yari indeed, but heavily damaged.  I’ve never before seen a gimei Yari, but 大吉 作sounds more like a fortune telling than a real smith’s name.

The slightly longer kerakubi could indicate a little more age, possibly early to mid Edo period(?), but I’m just guessing.