MOTOHIRA YARI

[Gilles]

Gentlemen,

 

Here is my last find. Please see the pictures.

We have here a scarce yari which have a quite long nakago (66 cm) with a blade length of 13.7 cm.

This yari is signed SAPPAN SHI MOTOHIRA and was purchased with a NBTHK Hozon certificate. On the excellent compilation INDEX OF Japanese SWORDSMITHS made by our friend Markus Sesko, it is written that this very swordsmith was allowed tu use the title SAPPAN SHI (Satsuma retainer) in 1785.

The NBTHK certificate is quite laconic and state only the MEI, thus I can't conclude with it whose MOTOHIRA we are talking about.

Thus, I think that this swordsmith is the first generation MOTOHIRA, what do you think ?

 

 

Thank you for your help

[cabowen]

How rare to see such a long nakago on a yari!

 

I think first generation, otherwise I would have thought that the kanteisho would indicate otherwise.

 

Great score!

[Brian]

Wow, that's a beauty!

 

Brian

[Markus]

Chris is right. If there is a big name shodai and a "not so big" nidai, it is usually a work of

the shodai when the kanteisho does not give any further specification (e.g. in parenthesis).

[Gabriel L]

A nice find by an excellent smith, Gilles, I am jealous. I hope you can share a photo showing the workmanship.

 

Based on the specific mei (Sappan-shi), the NBTHK paper, a cursory read through my library, and fast comparison of oshigata/nakago both printed and online, I would assume this is the shodai (though I am not discounting the possibility that it could be a later generation). This is just an quick impression however and not worth much.

[Gilles]

Thank you gentlemen for those comments. I will try to do some better pictures.

The blade is much more impressive in hand. This three sided blade was made in all probability to deal with armor. The point is stubby almost "rounded" which was made (to my knowledge) for this kind of utilization. The long nakago can be a sign that this blade was fitted on an extra long shaft and was seriouly made for combat use. I've heard that the warriors of the Satsuma han were particularly fierce during all eras and especially during Bakumatsu time. The "spirit" was preserved.

[Curran]

I've heard that the warriors of the Satsuma han were particularly fierce during all eras and especially during Bakumatsu time. The "spirit" was preserved.

 

I've always been curious to see their (famed?) running attack for which they somehow draw the saya out of belt. Heard it described, but not seen. Always hoped Tanobe-sensei might give us an example one day, if encouraged with a little sake.

 

If I were to own a Shin-shinto, it would probably seen a Motohira. I've seen two that stole my breath for a second or two.

[raven2]

beautiful piece, Gilles.

[takakage]

Hi,

 

Such yari have always a very long nakago. I have seen few months ago , 2 of them , both shin shinto, kanetsugu and kunizumi with nakago of 75 and 71 cm. Same ko itame hada and sugu ha in ko nie deki. The first with a shortened pole of 230cm (270 cm before).

[takakage]

This one is nice too.......

 

http://www.samuraishokai.jp/sword/y14001.html