Head of a Yari (spear)
Culture
Japanese
Date1500s–early 1800s
Mediumsteel
Dimensions57 × 1.9 × 1.9 cm (22 7/16 × 3/4 × 3/4 in.)
Overall: 12 oz (0.8 lb.)
Overall: 12 oz (0.8 lb.)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.394
Label TextToday we associate samurai with swords, but they were in fact well rounded martial artists who were expected to master a range of weapons for use on horseback and on foot. The yari was one of the most important of these: in battle, the spear was the weapon of choice, and the sword served only as a backup.
Spearheads were made using similar techniques to swords, and often by the same smiths.ProvenanceCollection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.On View
Not on view
