Japan, Edo Period. The first is a yanagiba type arrowhead, pierced with cherry blossoms and signed on the shoulder, the second a Togari-Ya point arrowhead, each made of folded tempered steel.
Dimensions Length 19 and 16 cm
Notes Note: The larger, more ornamental style Yanone were used for presentations and temple offerings. It is said that a samurai might have a quiver of 26 Arrows (Ya) and one of them, called the Kabura-Ya or Chief arrow, was only used if the battle was lost. The Yanagiba style of arrowhead appeared during the Momoyama period (1573-1615) and continued through the relatively peaceful Edo Period. The Togari-Ya or pointed arrowheads look like a small Yari (spear) and were used only for war and are armor piercing arrows.