Japanese Spears: A Historical Survey of Naginata and Yari from Earliest Times to the End of the Edo Period

• VerfasserIn: Knutsen, Roald,
• TeilnehmendeR: Knutsen, Patricia
• Place / Publishing House: [Place of publication not identified] : Global Oriental, 2004
• Year of Publication: 2004
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (xxvi, 131 pages, 128, 32 pages) :; illustrations
• Notes: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

This is the first book in English to provide a fully illustrated guide to the use of polearms - ranging from the earliest halberds and spears reaching Japan from the Asian mainland to the sophisticated naginata, nagamaki and various forms of yari used by the Japanese samurai through the medieval period. While the sword remains the best known of Japanese weapons, it was the halberd (naginata) and then the yari that dominated the battlefields up to the early seventeenth century, and thereafter the yari became an important status symbol to many warrior families. Additionally, the authors focus on the actual method of use of these weapons, hitherto an almost unknown aspect in the West.

Table of Contents

Ritual and warfare in Japan -- Stone, bronze, and the first iron spears -- Hoko in the Asuka and Nara periods -- The naginata centuries (794-1336) -- Halberds in the Omishima Shrine -- Kikuichi-no-senbon-no-yari -- Kumade and Chinese 'yari' -- The Nanbokucho and mid-Muromachi developments -- Yari development after the onin war -- A survey of spear forms -- So-jutsu within the bugei -- Spear fittings -- The techniques of the spear.