Blade for a Spear (Jūmonji-yari) with Sheath

Blade inscribed by Munemichi Japanese

Not on view

The use of spears became increasingly common during the late Muromachi period (1392–1573), a time of near-constant military conflict. Stabbing weapons to be used on foot, they typically measured around seven feet in length, allowing for maneuverability in close quarters. Spearheads varied in size and shape; this example is of a type with a cruciform structure. The sheath bears the crest (mon) of Matsudaira, a branch of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Blade for a Spear (<i>Jūmonji-yari</i>) with Sheath, Blade inscribed by Munemichi (Japanese, active 18th century), Steel, wood, lacquer, gold, copper, Japanese

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Overall with sheath

Blade for a Spear (<i>Jūmonji-yari</i>) with Sheath, Blade inscribed by Munemichi (Japanese, active 18th century), Steel, wood, lacquer, gold, copper, Japanese
Blade for a Spear (<i>Jūmonji-yari</i>) with Sheath, Blade inscribed by Munemichi (Japanese, active 18th century), Steel, wood, lacquer, gold, copper, Japanese
Blade for a Spear (<i>Jūmonji-yari</i>) with Sheath, Blade inscribed by Munemichi (Japanese, active 18th century), Steel, wood, lacquer, gold, copper, Japanese
Blade for a Spear (<i>Jūmonji-yari</i>) with Sheath, Blade inscribed by Munemichi (Japanese, active 18th century), Steel, wood, lacquer, gold, copper, Japanese

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