Yari Mei

[James]

Hi

 

I just bought a large yari that seems to have just one kanji for the mei.

As you will see, it the first kanji in the name 'Fujiwara'.

Does that mean this mei just reads 'Fuji'? or perhaps there is a different translation when the kanji is alone?

 

Here are the photos:

 

[James]

This yari is unusual not just in it's length but also in the fact the both the ura and omote are the same i.e. not flat surface on one side.

Could this be a ken?

 

The hamon isn't all that clear but here's a photo of it anyway:

[Guest reinhard]

Fuji just means.....Fuji (Japanese for wisteria).

Hawley mentions three Toko signing Fuji (two in Awa and one in Hizen province). I couldn't find anything about them.

 

reinhard

[John A Stuart]

Could this style be a remake of the old Heian era hoko or tehoko that had a diamond cross section? Sort of like they remade the ken from time to time. John

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Might be a shortened Ryo-Shinogi-Omi-Yari.

The tickness of the Nakago seems correct for a Sengoku item,

but the patina and the lack of a complete Mei (not due to shortening)

isn't.

[James]

How does one sheathe/unsheathe a ken or a ken-like yari?

It wouldn't be good to slide it out on its edge, but it also wouldn't be good to slide it on the ji. Thoughts?

[James]

Anyone?

[Guest reinhard]

Actually I don't know for sure, but if the blade were mine, I would hold it upright and pull the saya as gently as possible in a vertical motion. This is more of a spontaneous idea than a solid advice.

 

reinhard

[John A Stuart]

I'd say that would be correct. There is no nuki in any forms I've seen. The start is with an already unsheathed blade. As for ken, I have never seen a form for it, as it is mostly a ceremonial blade. John