AS24711 Tanto(Kikuchi Yari)：Mumei(Unsigned)(Kikuchi Yari) (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Tanto(Kikuchi Yari)in Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Inscription: Mumei(Unsigned)(Kikuchi Yari)
無銘(菊地槍)

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Kikuchi Yari.
Habaki: Gold plating
Blade Length: 27.7 cm (10.91 in)
Curvature: 0.1 cm (0.04 in)
Width at Base(Motohaba): 2.24 cm (0.88 in)
Thickness: 0.65 cm (0.26 in)
Blade Weight: 215g
Era: Nanbokucho period to the early Muromachi period
Shape:
Jigane: Itame and Masame grain pattern with whitish Utsuri.
Hamon: Nie-base Suguha

Features: The Kikuchi yari was a unique weapon developed by the Kikuchi clan, who were active in Higo during the Nanbokuchō period. They came up with the idea of attaching a short sword to the tip of a long bamboo pole and using it like a spear. These blades were forged by the Enju school, swordsmiths in service to the Kikuchi family.
Until the Kamakura period, warfare was primarily fought in individual duels, and the main long-handled weapon was the naginata. However, as the nature of warfare shifted to group battles during the Nanbokuchō period, the spear emerged as a more practical long-handled weapon suited for that purpose.
By the Muromachi period, the production of spears became widespread and systematic, and the Kikuchi spear gradually fell out of use.

Koshirae: Aikuchi-style mounting
Tsuba: Hamidashi-style tsuba
Menuki: Design of a dokko (ritual pestle), with gold detailing
Fuchikashira: Made of horn
Saya (Scabbard): Black roiro (lacquered) finish with red inscriptions and feather motifs
Kozuka & Kogatana: Shakudo nanako-ji with a design of a lion.

NBTHK Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata