This project began as a personal challenge and an exploration of the beauty and symmetry that can be found in the sankaku style yari (三角槍). The cross section of the blade is triangular in this style, the spine quite thick and strong, and the tip is centered on both axis. The basic form is fairly defined, but there are several historical variations on the lengths of the blade and tang as well as the style of sculpting the neck area.
Appreciation for detail in everyday utilitarian objects is one of the elements that shows up in traditional Japanese craft. Historically, this was expressed by attention to the precise development of form, line, and detail, and is found even in components or areas that were hidden from view or secondary in importance.
Historically, this type of spear would have been mounted on a sturdy hardwood pole about two metres in length, though there were examples up to six metres for defense against cavalry. The top of the pole would have a lacquer finish, several iron bands, and a strip down each side, and like a tanto, the yari would have a copper habaki and a bamboo peg through the tang to hold it in place.
This yari is made from reclaimed shear steel from a horse-drawn carriage axle. The axle has evidence of forge welds on it and may have been repaired by a blacksmith at some point using locally available materials. The blade was hand forged in a charcoal fire, shaped with files, differentially hardened using traditional water quench yaki-ire, and polished by hand with water stones to reveal a suguha hamon and a subtle hada.
Blade construction is muku with a sankaku profile and a raised/centered tip. The blade is approximately 7.5″ long, the tang is 10.25″ long, and the overall length is about 17.75″. Accompanied by a full colour 20 page hardcover photo book documenting the process.
Specifications
長さ/刃長 Nagasa: 6 sun 2 bu 7 rin (190mm)
元幅 Motohaba: 9 bu 3 rin (28mm)
重ね/元重 Motokasane: 2 bu 8 rin (8.5mm)
反り Sori: straight
中心/茎 Nakago: 8 sun 5 bu (258mm)
柄長 Tsuka: unmounted
拵全長 Koshirae: unmounted
形 Katachi: hira sankaku
刃文 Hamon: suguha
帽子/鋩子 Boshi: ko-maru
中心/茎 Nakago: kaku, no mekugi-ana, signed midway
銘 Mei: hot stamped katabami-ken kamon
拵 Koshirae: none