Jūmonji Yari (Cross-Shaped Spear)

This is a Jumonji yari (cross-shaped spear) said to have been used by Ashikaga Masauji, who was in charge of the Kita-Kanto branch (headquartered in present-day Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture) of the Muromachi Shogunate during the Sengoku Period (late 15th to late 16th centuries). The spear has been preserved at the Kantoin, a Buddhist temple Masauji established in his later years located in present-day Kuki City, Saitama Prefecture. The creator of this spear was Doken, who was a swordsmith active from 1521-1528 in Izumo Province (present-day Shimane Prefecture). The surface grain pattern of the blades is called mokume and consists of small ovals and circles that resemble a burl wood grain. The hamon, a pattern created on the blade of a spear during the hardening process that serves as the border between the tempered part of the thinner, cutting edge and the untempered part of the rest of the blade, is in the gunome-midare style: the tempering line is irregular and wavy. Cultural Properties Designated by Saitama Prefecture.