Exceptional Yari, forged by 東都藤原國重作 = “Toh-to Fujiwara Kunishige saku”. “Toh-to” is Edo (now Tokyo). Another optional translation: Kunishige Fujiwara, Toto. Extremely sharp double edged blade, attracted to the magnet. There were 3 sword-smiths with the name Fujiwara: 1) Fujiwara from Yamato province, Era Kagen 1303-1306; Hawley rating 20; ¥3.56M=$26,500 2) Fujiwara from Kaga province, Era Taiei (1521-1528); Hawley rating 20; ¥3.56M=$26,500 3) Fujiwara from Hizen province, Era Kanei ( 1624-1644): Hawley rating 20; ¥3.56M=$26,500 Length: 540 mm = 54 cm = 21.3 inches; Weight: 177 g; Original scabbard made from wood and covered by leather. Provenance: Estate sale of a collector - American officer in Texas, USA Yari (槍) is the term for a traditionally-made Japanese blade (nihonto)[2][3] in the form of a spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear.[4] The martial art of wielding the yari is called sōjutsu. Early yari are believed to have been derived from Chinese spears. These hoko yari are thought to be from the Nara period (710–794).[5][6] While they were present in early Japanese history, the term 'yari' appeared for the first time in written sources in 1334 and this type of spear did not become popular until the late 15th century.[1] The original warfare of the bushi was not a thing for commoners; it was a ritualized combat usually between two warriors who would challenge each other via horseback archery.[7] In the late Heian period, battles on foot began to increase and naginata, a polearm, became a main weapon along with a yumi (longbow).[8] The attempted Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281 was one of the factors that changed Japanese weaponry and warfare. The Mongols employed Chinese and Korean footmen wielding long pikes and fought in tight formations. They moved in large units to stave off cavalry.[7] Polearms (including naginata and yari) were of much greater military use than swords, due to their significantly longer reach, lighter weight per unit length (though overall a polearm would be fairly hefty), and their great piercing ability.[7]