The Three Great Spears of Japan are three individual spears (
yari) that were made and crafted by the greatest historical blacksmiths of Japan:[1]
Tonbokiri (蜻蛉切): This spear once wielded by
Honda Tadakatsu, one of the great generals of
Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was forged by Masazane, a disciple of
Muramasa. It is now owned by a private individual and lent to the
Sano Art Museum for its collection. The type of blade shape is sasaho yari.[2]
Nihongo, or Nippongo (日本号): A famous spear that was once used in the Imperial Palace. Nihongo later found its way into the possession of
Fukushima Masanori, and then Tahei Mori. It is now at
Fukuoka City Museum. The type of blade shape is omi yari.[2]
Otegine (御手杵): It was a spear that
Yuki Harutomo, a daimyo, ordered Shimada Gisuke, a swordsmith, to make. It was lost in the
Bombing of Tokyo in 1945. The type of blade shape was omi yari.[2]
See also
Tenka-Goken (Five Swords under Heaven) - five individual swords traditionally viewed as the best Japanese swords