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; also readTonbogiri): This spear once wielded byHonda Tadakatsu, one of the great generals ofTokugawa Ieyasu. It was forged by Masazane, a disciple ofMuramasa. It is now owned by a private individual and lent to theSano Art Museum for its collection. The type of blade shape issasaho yari.[2]
Nihongō (日本号; also readNippongō,Hinomotogō): A famous spear that was once used in the Imperial Palace. Nihongo later found its way into the possession ofFukushima Masanori, and then Tahei Mori. It is now atFukuoka City Museum. The type of blade shape isomi yari.[2]
Otegine (御手杵): It was a spear thatYuki Harutomo, a daimyo, ordered Shimada Gisuke, a swordsmith, to make. It was lost in theBombing of Tokyo in 1945. The type of blade shape wasomi yari.[2]
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