What is up with flat point yari? Blunt tip is ... weird.

[GreyVR]

I've seen these many times, and I've heard a lot of theories on them, but seriously, what is the logic behind this design? 

I've heard it's a Palaquin spear, (which would explain short, but not blunt) I've heard it's for beating people to death with, for hitting armor over and over.... As a last ditch weapon you couldn't afford to lose the point on so you just didn't have a point to start with.... 

But ... none of these explinations seem to work. I know the Japanese could make amazingly sharp pointed spears because I've seen and drooled over a great many of them... and I know just enough about spear fighting to know it's about the point, not the edge. You might catch someone with the edge if you miss and pull back, but the leverage is wrong for a serious cutting weapon, for that you want a naginata or glaive or billhook or halberd or partisan. A spear is about being light and faster then fast with the point. 

That's also why naginata tangs do not look like yari tangs and halberds have langets down each side. 

So, knowing that, a sharp point but small and light tip like this is amazing design. 


And really you can go smaller. A tip that penetrates three finger widths deep is most often mortal, as the Romans used to say. 

So, knowing the Japanese could make excellent spears.... this shovel point most likely has a good explanation as to the logic behind it, and I'm very interested to know what it is. 

Does anyone have more then a theory? A serious 'for real' explanation?  

By the way, the bottom spear image was from the net, but the top is from here. https://shop.nihontou.jp/products/detail/31698

Actually, I followed the link on the top one, it's here if you're in Europe. I'd think of buying it myself but for shipping. https://www.proantic.com/en/1170220-yari-spear-Japanese-samurai.html#

If the link doesn't work delete the #

Edited yesterday at 10:51 AM by GreyVR

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes we’ve discussed these Ginkgo nut blades (銀杏穂) Gin-nan-po/ho here before, quite a few years back.

 

They’re beautiful, aren’t they! Perfectly formed curving facets. They come in various sizes, some quite small. I’ve seen bronze examples from 5th-6th century AD tombs. 
 

It has been said that the weakest spot of an armoured warrior is the eyes, for which you do not need a long blade. Maybe there is indeed more than symbolism and beauty to them though…

[Bazza]

Would the shape be for an armour piercer???  I once had a pair of arrowheads with this shape and was told at the time they were armour piercing points.  Ballistically the shape appears to be sensible for the task...

 

BaZZa.

[John C]

3 hours ago, GreyVR said:

Does anyone have more then a theory? A serious 'for real' explanation? 

Not so much a theory as a consideration. Many yari were made as pikes, not spears. I could see where one would not want their pike to get stuck in armor or a horse during a cavalry charge. So having a blunt tip would make sense. The force of the charge hitting a stationary blade would do the damage.

 

John C. 

[Scogg]

Some good discussions for cross-reference:

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/14310-bakumatsu-kaei-ginnan-po-yari-osafune-sukesada/

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/51765-yari-blade-shape-question/