Antique Japanese Yari (spear), signed "Iwami-no-kami Fujiwara Kunisuke" (石見守藤原國助) — a hira-sankaku spear with a sankō-ken and twin grooves

A robust, exceptionally well-preserved triangular spear by the Osaka master Kunisuke, carved with a Fudō Myōō sankō-ken — in shirasaya with a display shaft

We present a beautifully preserved hira-sankaku (flat-triangular) spear by the distinguished Osaka smith Kunisuke (國助). In addition to a thick kasane and a healthy, crisply angled form, the front face bears a handsome pair of grooves (ni-hon-hi) and a sankō-ken carving (a three-pronged vajra-hilted sword, the symbol of the deity Fudō Myōō), giving it a strong presence. It is a piece uniting practical strength with esoteric-Buddhist prayer.

Workmanship and condition

The jigane is a well-packed ko-itame, and the temper line is a bright suguha-based hamon with a clear temper border. Whereas many surviving spears show damage from age and the wear of combat, this one — while it does show some black rust in places — is in very fine condition: the angles remain crisp, the carvings are well preserved, and the polish is healthy with no conspicuous flaws.

Form

A powerful hira-sankaku yari with firmly standing angles, retaining ample thickness from base to tip. The front face is precisely carved with a tidy pair of grooves (ni-hon-hi) and, at the base, a sankō-ken-style carving regarded as a manifestation of Fudō Myōō. Beyond mere beauty of form, it conveys a high artistry imbued with the martial dignity and the piety of the samurai of its day.

On the smith — Kunisuke (國助)

The signature reads "Iwami-no-kami Fujiwara Kunisuke" (石見守藤原國助). Kunisuke was a master smith of the early Edo period (around the Manji era), born in Ise and later active in Osaka. The long tang is clearly signed with powerful chisel strokes, and it is pierced with two peg-holes (mekugi-ana).

The mounting (shirasaya)

The piece comes with a dedicated shirasaya suited to protecting and preserving the blade, together with a short shaft (tanka) for appreciation and display.

Individual pieces retaining carvings as clear as this sankō-ken and ni-hon-hi are rare on today's sword market. Thick and healthy from base to tip, it is a fine work that fully satisfies the joy of ownership. Uniting the sturdiness of a weapon with an esoteric-Buddhist dignity, it is recommended as a piece that broadens the range of a Japanese-sword collection.

Specifications

• Type: Yari (槍, spear) — hira-sankaku (flat-triangular)
• Smith: Iwami-no-kami Fujiwara Kunisuke (石見守藤原國助), Osaka; early Edo (ca. Manji era), originally from Ise
• Signature (mei): "Iwami-no-kami Fujiwara Kunisuke" (石見守藤原國助)
• Carving (horimono): Omote — ni-hon-hi (twin grooves) with a sankō-ken (Fudō Myōō's three-pronged vajra sword) at the base
• Jigane: Well-packed ko-itame
• Hamon: Suguha-based, bright and clear
• Blade length (nagasa): 19.9 cm (approx. 7.83 in)
• Curvature (sori): 0 cm
• Width at base (motohaba): 21.5 mm (approx. 0.85 in)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 8.4 mm (approx. 0.33 in) — thick
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 22.5 mm (approx. 0.89 in)
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 5.8 mm (approx. 0.23 in)
• Peg holes (mekugi-ana): 2
• Weight (blade only): 230 g
• Condition: Freshly polished and healthy; some black rust in places, no conspicuous flaws
• Mounting: Shirasaya, with a short display shaft (tanka)
• Registration No.: Hokkaido No. 30574 (北海道 第30574号)