Signature: Cho Han Ju Harutoshi. Cho Han Fujii Takamasa Ko Soko Kashin Nakajima Kitakazu.
Length of spearhead: 30.0cm or 11.81 inches. Length of nakago : 25.0cm or 9.84 inches.
Width (Motohaba): 3.15 cm or 1.24 inches. Width (Sakihaba): 3.23 cm or 1.27 inches.
Era: Late Edo period, 19th century.
Taihai (shape): An well-proportioned spear forms
like a ken, a Buddhist sword, a physical manifestation of the power of
Buddhism, usually seen emanating from a double lightning bolt (vajra)
and frequently used as a symbol of the Five Kings of Light, Fudo Myo-o
being the best known. Used until the ninth century and rarely there after.
Jitetsu: The texture of jitetsu resembles to Awataguchi style,
fine itame-hada with jinie.
Hamon: Nie-deki, tight suguha-hamon. Soft habuchi appears in places.
Harutoshi was a swordsmith of Choshu province, present Yamaguchi pref.
He made this spear elaborately accepting a special order by Kitaichi Nakajima
who worked under Takamasa Fujii.
