Samurai Spears: Evolution and Overview 

While the name of Tomoe Gozen is one theory of why the Tomoegata Naginata is called as such, another theory could also simply be the Tomoe symbol itself which is meant to describe a "comma-like swirl". This could be indicative of the blade's heavy curve.

"The naginata seems to be inferior to the yari on a battlefield. The yari is the vanguard, the naginata the rear guard. Given the same degree of training, one with a yari is a bit stronger. Both the yari and the naginata depend on circumstances. (...) They should be reserved for use on the battlefield. They are essential weapons in pitched battle." - Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings.

Over the years I really started to appreciate the spear a lot more then I used to.

I’ve been waiting for this one! If the Katana was the Samurais side arm, the Spear was their battle rifle.

Some years ago there was coincidentally reenactment battle when I was visiting Japan... And I was curious seeing a lot of use of the "falling spear" attack. I asked and this was the answer I got: They "hammer" it down and once it is down they thrust it forward and lift it up again, It is like a basic combo. There was also formation where first row were just stabbing and second row was "hammering". The result is that your opponent either gets slammed in the head or gutted

I just think it’s cool how the spear, in one form or another, appears in nearly every know culture

It’s not just samurai that suffer the “no spears” problem. Knights also suffer from it heavily as well even though just like samurai, the most common weapon used by knights when they fought on foot was the spear. It’s just another way that our culture has seemingly forgotten the spear completely.

For personal reasons i have been researching about the japanese spears. Was really glad when i found this vid.

I have a soft spot for the naginata. It's such a badass looking weapon.

Even though Naginata was well known used by the warrior monk, there are certain temple that utilize Yari as their best weapon. For example, the famous Hozoin temple with their champion Inei Ankokuji who known to duel with Miyamoto Musashi.

Thanks sir for uploading new video ❤️❤️. Love from India.

Thanks for bringing up the point of "pike and shot". Many Westerners compare samurai armor to full plate knight armor. Not taking into account that during the apex of samurai warfare. It was not heavy mounted warfare but muskets and spears that drove the battles. Samurai armor was actually just as protective as European Armor during the age of muskets. Sacrificing fully plated for more maneuverability. If you wanna compare a fully plated knight to a samurai then fine, just remember to give the samurai a musket too. Look at Conquistador armor and how much it covers. Very similar to how much sengoku jidai samurai armor covers also.

This was, as usual, an extremely well put together, informative, and entertaining video. It's a very interesting dive into a class of weapons that were very common and survived major shifts in strategies used on the battlefield and even newer technologies but are usually left out of popular conscience.

I think the reason the Naginata is depicted alot more often is because it just looks more unique and eye-catching than the Yari. While I also find the Naginata very interesting, the Nagamaki is almost never depicted in movies/games. Such an interesting design and so rarely used, it's a shame.

the odachi mains were by far my favorite samurai shout out Magara Naotaka

Spears trully embody what open-field battlefield weapons need, to be longer. Even if Nodachi is long too, you still take time to swing it while Yari and Naginata, you just need to place the blade in front of you and make sure the enemies don't get closer

Spears will never get as much respect as they've earned. Kings of the battlefield, the pivot upon which 90% of history has turned and they get made a tertiary thought in modern games or fantasy at BEST

It is interesting that spears, like most early weapons, were developed as expedient tools for survival. Spears and bows were used for hunting game while axes and small knives were needed for woodwork and tanning. Swords were outliers in that they're made for the sole purpose of killing another human being. In a sense, swords get all the press because they reveal the underlying violence behind the process of civilization

Very interesting and pretty nice video. I love japanese spear and polearms weapons and Naginata is my favorite of all them. Was very cool add Naginata Samurai and Naginata Hero Unit cards to the video since these units are my favorite in Shogun 2.

Great video, reminds me that Kato Kiyomasa carries a spear that called one sided because he was attacked by a tiger perhaps during the korean war, and then we can't forget that Honda tadakatsu carries a spear called Tonbo-giri, yes spears are amazing and their history holds alot of fascinating designs, great detailed video overall

On the battlefield the sword claims to be a prince all hail the spear king.

Excellent, and most informative! Ready for more when you are.

Awesome video! seriously my favorite weapon from all history!

I wonder if there is a history on samurai bows they would be interesting keep up the good work shogunate

The Nodachi= the katana super sized.

The NagiNata can be thought of as a war scythe as the character 薙 means 'grass weapon' or 'weed shaver' similar to the falx and reminiscent of martial adoption of agricultural tools.

That's pretty much a universal feature of warfare in pre- and early gunpowder periods. Polearms, spears and ranged weapons were the main battlefield weapons, and swords were backup weapons (as well as sidearms carried for personal defense outside of battlefield scenarios). In this regard, there was little difference between medieval Japan and Europe. Ironically, in both cases, the tendency to romanticize the sword in popular culture led to "erasing" of spears from the collective imagination. Regarding the versatile character of the naginata, it was also quite common to reforge its blade into wakizashi blades.

Have you done one on the yumi yet? There was a variation called the hazuyari, which was a bow with a spear or bajonet-like modification at the top that enables it to also be used in melee.

Spears are incredible, they are simple to wield and cheap to produce, yet proficent in battle.

Great video bro! Do you think you could make a video about the kanabo?

Im liking these wepons videos great job

After the end of the Heian period, the naginata was more popular. Since the spear is suitable for group fighting, it became popular on the battlefield from around 1500 in the latter half of the Sengoku period to the peace after Genna era in 1615. In China and Korea, the katana was more feared than the spear. Min's General Qi Jiguang (1528 - 1588) "This was the first time I knew this when a Japanese samurai attacked China. They moved like a dance, and the forward rushing force seemed to flash light, and our Ming soldiers were just distracted. The Japanese are very active and move about 3m at a time. Since the length of katana is 1.6m, it will be attacked even at a distance of 4.8m. It is difficult to approach with my soldier's sword, it is too late with a spear, and if I encounter it, everyone will be cut off and killed. This is because their weapons are sharp and they are free to use powerful and heavy swords that can be swung with both hands. " 明 戚继光 　纪效新书 此自倭犯中国始有之。彼以此跳舞光闪而前，我兵已夺气矣。倭善跃，一迸足则丈余，刀长五尺，则丈五尺矣。我兵短器难接，长器不捷，遭之者身多两断。缘器利而双手使用，力重故也。 Min Martial Artist Cheng Zongyou (1561-1636) "We call that Japanese weapon dandao. Use a swinging sword with both hands. This is a technique unique to Japanese people. The technique is well trained, precise and solid. Japanese swords are easy to handle, and each one makes sense, including the handle and scabbard. No other sword can match the Japanese sword. A well-polished Japanese sword reflects the light of the sun and hits our eyes. The light makes our hearts cold. In Japanese swordsmanship, the change from side to side is strange and mysterious, and it is not predictable to ordinary people. Therefore, even if you use a long-handled weapon such as a spear, you will always lose to the Japanese sword. " 明 程冲斗　单刀法选　单刀说 器名单刀，以双手用刀也，其技擅自倭奴，锻炼精坚，制度轻利，靶鞘等物，各各如法，非他方之刀可并，且善磨整，光耀射目，令人心寒。其用法 左右跳跃，奇诈诡秘，人莫能测，故长技每每常败于刀。 Min's military strategist Heliang chen's military book Zhen ji "The Japanese thief's attack is only hit twice or three times with katana, Often I can't prevent it. You should know the ingenuity of their katana sword technique. " 明 何良臣　阵纪 军中诸技，惟刀剑法少传。若能滚入，使长短兵不及遮拦，便为熟矣。如日本刀不过三两下，往往人不能御，则用刀之巧可知耳。 Guang dong xin yu by Poet Qu Dajun (1630-1696) "When the Japanese move with all their might, they move like the wind. They always enter enemy territory in small numbers, and even a large army cannot resist them. Their katana usage is to defend with the long katana and stab the enemy to death with the short katana. They move low as if crouching and never back down. They will be treated no matter how many people there are. It is a special technique only for those of the Japanese archipelago. ” 其人率横行疾斗。飘忽如风。常以单刀陷阵。五兵莫御。其用刀也。长以度形。短以趯越。蹲以为步。退以为伐。臂以承腕。挑以藏撇。豕突蟹奔。万人辟易。真岛中之绝技也。

Excellent illustrations, a pleasure to watch.

Was waiting for a long time for you to cover this video. My favorite types of Yari is the Omi and Nagae Yari. Hadome cross bar is great to go along with them.

For some reason, i love talking about this and i have in other videos. I know that the yari was the most common weapon used in sengoku jidai. But in the imjin war it was actually the sword. Japaneses soldiers were feared by koreans and chinese by their muskets and swordsmanship. the records dont mention yari. A japanese record tells no use for spears. We need more ammunition it states.

You should make a video about the PS2 strategy game Kessen from 2000.

While it's true that media tend to overdepict Japanese spears as naginata, I think it's interesting how when they need a Sanada Yukimura, he will use a jumonji yari of some form, even in the most over-the-top depictions such as Sengoku BASARA. In fact, one usually associates Sanada Yukimura with some yari, rather than with a katana, a prominent weapon in fiction media especially.

Yashumaru from the Samurai Shodown 2019 reboot, is a character with tengu inspiration wielding a Nagamaki. Such a good weapon to focus on range yet not so long to be cumbersome. My 2nd favorite japanese weapon, 1st being the generic katana lol

Thanks for another much anticipated video

Interesting video and I'm all in favor of a more in depth video on the usage of Spears, Naginata, and Yari. Also would interested in the use of Kanabo in Japan. I know they existed but are not often pictured. 'Bludgeoning weapons were used analogously with spear type weapons in most militaries to defeat armor wearing troops.

The spear is less focused on in media but there are some great movies with spear duels, a few spring to mind: Bloody spear on Mt Fuji After the rain The Hidden fortress

Thank you for another great video! I totally agree that the spear has taken a back seat to the katana. I could imagine the spear usage higher in battle. It is a simple weapon to use and it provides distance from your enemy. Please consider another video spears, more in depth. Not sure if you made one, how about a bow and arrow video? Looking forward to your next video!

hmm, time for quick Oda playtrough

I have to say how much I am enjoying your videos on Japanese warfare and weapons. Watching this video it's interesting to see the convergent technology between Japanese and European weapons. Looking at the Kama-yari I was particularly struck by the similarity between it and the English billhook and their use in combat. The billhook, of course, was normally and agricultural took with a wooden handle which would be swopped out for a six foot haft when used as a weapon. It was much favoured amongst English infantry who were very adept at it use in fighting and, like their Japanese counterpart, proved very useful at pulling a rider off his horse.

Hidden Fortress by Akira Kurosawa features a duel with yari.

Yari Chadigaru & the impregnable Yari wall

Japanese sake is 1a I love it. 🇭🇺👌

The kama yari kind of looks like double bladed dagger axe.

Naginata are my favourite weapons from Japan. Any long polearms... Hammers and clubs. They don't get enough credit.

Yari wall!! Great video!

Great video mate

02:38 This is also true for European history, despite almost every depiction of a battle primarily showing spears and bows people ONLY ever talk about swords and occasionally bows.

Muito bom 👍🏻👍🏻

Ein Yari mag der Naginata unterlegen scheinen , zieht man aber in Betracht dass die Klinge beidseitig extrem scharf ist , sind schlagende Schnitte wohl ähnlich verheerend wie die der Naginata wobei , noch hinzu kommt dass ein Yari noch über eine gewisse Distanz noch sehr präzise geworfen werden kann und , dann nicht minder tödlich ist was , darauf basiert dass die Klinge einen dreikantigen Querschnitt hat .

Please talk about touken ranbu someday

Ah good old pointy stick never fails. Been around sense the dawn of man.

>One of the earliest Japanese spear designs is the hoko Oh THAT'S why it's called the Ame-no-nuhoko. Really I should have seen that one coming.

Thanks good video

Hozoin temple were known for spearmanship.

While I agree that spears need to be more common in media, I also think having them depicted as slashing weapons more than stabbing weapons is important so I support favoring the naginata over the yari even if it's impractical.

Esswntially Asian eastern style cavalry spear for heavy cavalry/shock cavalry

Where’d you get the pattern wound statistics come from?

Now the Naginata and Yari (which just mean Spears) for commoner, conscript foot soldiers vs those use by the Samurai and their Retainer are quite different. Naginata is made from much cheaper materials and actually doesn't need as a skills of a Smith in comparison to those whom make sword. Yari for commoners are even more simples. There for, those Naginata and Yari for the commoners, appears like spears from anywhere else in the world, and the Naginata looks like a blades stuck on a poles, like cheap foot soldier Glaive in Europe for examples. By the times of the Heian period, handheld shield was practically outlaws by the Bushido codes, so conscript foot soldiers (none Samurais Retainer) can only uses Naginata, Bows and Spears that aren't Samurai Yari, which they can't anyways because Samurai Yari are expensive, high level of craftsmanship.

Are most Yari blades triangular in form and structure

I've always wondered how you acquire the images for your videos. Are there any books you could recommend with good illustrations?

Did these long yari consider dome kind of phalanx similar to Alexander phalanx ? And what about pike and shot

If you have ever tried to use naginata or nagamaki the circumstances are the most paramount considerations for use over yari… yari are for tight formations in blocks of men.. the prior needs much more space around an individual to use.. this is why my theory from my rese😢is that the high curve of the naginata is not for slashing at all but for stabbing thrusts upwards. Under horses into formations of men.. more like a hook… catching the enemy with the tip… you literally need five feet around you to weird them as we see in the movies with big slashing motions which in pitched battles is not relevant

I actually used to think the naginata was superior to the yari. This is eye-opening. How long before a video on yumi? I'd also like to see something on the daily lifestyles of the Samurai and commoners.

👏SWORDS👏ARE👏SIDEARMS👏 Hell yea spears!

I wonder if there was any European influence with the infantry tactics of pike squares and muskets ala Spanish Tercios. The Portuguese would have been familiar with these tactics it was introduced and refined during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Pointy boi is best boi

And someone saw a Ji halberd and said "I WANT THAT". And so the Kama Yari was born. I guess ? It would make sense I think.

would you like to do a video on otokodate？

I would strongly advise against using Japanese eras to determine when a weapon was first used since they are enormous and many military changes happened in each era. The oldest clear reference to a naginata is from 1146 meaning that it was used in the Hogen rebellion, the precursor to the Genpei war. Spears seem to have been abandoned from the beginning of the samurai era to the Nanbokucho wars. So this leads me to believe that from 939 to 1146 the Japanese weren't using polearms.

I jokingly refer to Naginattajutsu as the art of Grandpappy's shotgun. Something that was kept in the home during the Edo Period... just in case.

...I WANT to subscribe to Tippsy, but I don't drink ANYWHERE near enough to justify it.

The Jumonji Yari performs much better in battle if you’re wearing a lot of red.

My proper introduction to samurai anything was Samurai Warriors (Omega Force/Koei, PS2, 2004) and I've mostly come to accept that showing a representative variety of classic Japanese weapons is something specific to Japanese media. Still, I think I'd be a little salty if I saw too many samurai depicted in one place without even one yari.

I wonder why for honor didnt have spear wielding hero yet :( Have katana, Nodachi, Naginata, Kanabo, Axe,... Yet no spear

the spear was the king of historical weapons but it is underrated by modern pop culture

8:56 that those poor sods that just got long stick with no blade

00:30 Sake is very popular outside of Japan, in the Netherlands you can buy it at the supermarket and the average German supermarket has a large variety at any price range (meanwhile it's always expensive in the Netherlands). I don't think that I've met anyone who didn't know what sake was... It literally has its own emoji on the international emoji package.

Yarimazing

if the katana is the soul of the samurai then what is the spear?

To this day I don't understand why isn't spear in popularity in pop culture This is a criminal sin Then it helped us survive for thousands of years Games with Spears Farcry primal Elder scrolls 3 Fallout 4 pool Pole upgraded with knife God of war Ragnarok RTS Fantasy / historical Guys if you know any Spears in video games please tell me 💚🎮🕹️💚

Another interesting topic, not covered by this video, that especially concerns Japanese spear development is why it went backwards. Unlike most other cultures that abandon "tanged" spears when socketed spears are introduced, Japan did the opposite. The more ancient Hoko had sockets, and the Yari which later replaced them used a tang, which is by Western standards, a much more primitive method of fixing a spearhead to a shaft. Why did they do this?

A naginata is not, nor can it possibly (even by the greatest stretch of imagination), be considered a yari/spear. It is a type of glaive, certainly. Also, the common (MIS!)translated of naginata, as 'halberd', is even more preposterous.

I find it hard to believe that naginatas were used more than traditional yari spears during the Genpei war. It was certainly the preferred weapons of an infantryman, but I'd think that large swathes of miltia/levied troops would be armed with the traditional bamboo spear. Was the naginata really the only polearms used during the Genpei War/12th century?

"LET MY TONBOGIRI BE YOUR PASSAGE TO HELL!!"

That's all fairly standard in every culture. That swords didn't see as much use as more practical weapons. Pop culture has romanticized swords. In truth a sword is more of a side arm than a main weapon. Medieval knights carried them as symbols of nobility more than for defense. To put it in modern terms a sword is about as useful on the battlefield as a handgun. What you want to bring are polearms/axes, Warhammer, war picks. Anything heavy or with good reach. A sword would only be used as a last resort on any medieval battlefield

I favor the naginata blade more than yari because it looks as if it can slide through objects if the cuts were unsuccesful, even widening the wounds if stabbed then withdrawn from flesh. it also is more likely to cut if spun.

People : when no war was happening you don't need spears, so the samurai walked around with just two swords. Me : I can use a spear as a hiking stick that can actually work on a bear the same way a .308 rifle isn't just for war but for getting free range roast pig, at least until plastic and aerosol made for lighter poles and bear spray.

Are you telling me you're not supposed to drink all sake hot because its trash at most sushi places in the US?

Overall in pre-modern warfare, swords in combat are relatively rare as primary weapons. In fact the only ones I can think of that saw plentiful use in such a fashion was the Roman Gladius. Spears were so highly favoured above all weapons, and provide such incredible benefits, that swords were just superfluous.

The Jumonji was the superior tech branch. I can appreciate the final evolution of the Yari but it seems near the final stages of their midieval periods japan sacrificed much utility in blade form for tighter military uniformity. Also, I adore the blade style of the Naginata and it baffles me how it never morphed with the Nagamaki!! Or any long handled Katana. But I am a big stick man, I know my sticks. Between the Jumonji Yari from Japan and the Fangtian Ji from China I'm like. "W-w-hat happened? Where is all the history and legend in those obvious monsters! And don't tell me about Dynasty Warriors. I feel dirty even looking at Lu Bu. But the Yari, Though. So close to perfection with the Jumonji and I feel like it was ABANDONED for uniformity. Whats worse is historians ignore them for the most part and so no one is producing replicas! I'm not paying custom hand-forged prices for a wall hanger. Great video friends. "Tippsy Saki" being a premier sake brand is so quintessentially 🇯🇵 I can't help but want a bottle.

you forgot to mention the nagakiba polearm

A

The two things I notice when comparing to medieval Europe are: 1) how they mounted the metal warheads. The Japanese way strikes me as easier, cheaper, but also less durable. 2) the astonishing lack of crushing or piercing weapons meant to defeat armour. Yes, Yari are by nature piercing weapons, but I'm thinking of sturdier spikes that may even pierce armour plates.

👍🏿🤠👍🏿

Sake is bloody horrible. Spears on the the other hand, are very good weapons. Especially if you're a half-trained Ashigaru....