Book Review: "Japanese Spears" and "Japanese Polearms"

Japanese Polearms
by Roald M. Knutsen

Japanese Spears - Polearms And Their Use In Old Japan

by Roald & Patricia Knutsen

Before I was injured in the line of duty I had a very extensive martial arts book collection. I had over 300 books, covering almost every aspect and style of martial art history, theory, and training.

After being hurt, and laid up in bed for over a year I gave many of these books away. I didn’t think I would ever have a use for them again. Today I regret my foolishness, since many are out of print and I’ll never be able to acquire them again.

Today I’m up to about a 100 books. While that doesn’t sound like much of a collection in comparison to the old days, I am a lot more selective now regarding what I will put in my library. Quality over quantity is the goal now.

The unfortunate thing about martial art texts is that the bulk of them are not worth the paper they are printed on. Yes, one may gain a useful technique or two, and maybe if lucky some historical fact one didn’t know before. However, for the most part it’s the same information packaged and presented differently.

The following two books I’m going to review are on the topic of Sojutsu (The Japanese Art of the Spear). This is a topic of great interest to me, since my teacher considered himself to be a spearman more than a swordsman.

Though teaching the use of the spear isn’t foremost in what I teach today, I also have a certain passion for the weapon, and if I had to decide which weapon to go into battle with (guns excluded) I would always pick the spear first.

Japanese Polearms

by Roald M. Knutsen

The Holland Press, London 1963

Out of print - $150.00 - $500.00

I searched for this book for many many years. Basically, because it was one of the few books available on the topic of Japanese Polearms, especially written in a language other than Japanese. I had also heard wonderful comments about the book, and how informative it was.

Unfortunately this book is out of print, and every time I located a copy the cost was extremely high. Too high for my budget, or for me to justify acquiring it. Until about three years ago, when a student located one for me, at a semi-reasonable price.

When I purchased the book I had great expectations. I was really looking forward to its contents, and hoped that it would answer many questions I had about Japanese Polearm history, usage, and manufacture.

I wasn’t disappointed. While the production qualities of the book are not the greatest there is a lot of information. Mr. Knutsen does a good job covering history, manufacture, and various styles of polearms used throughout the centuries.

While none of the information is in depth, he covers a relatively unknown topic in a sufficient manner for the beginner to someone moderately knowledgeable on the topic. There are definitely some interesting bits and pieces.

The pictures, many of which feature items from his personal collection, are also a great feature of this book. I lost count how many variations of polearm blades he shows. There were some I had never seen, other than in drawings. (Such as the socketed yari (spear) with a hook and engraved saya (scabbard) on it, featured on page 192.)

There are also many photos and line drawings of the various pieces that make up a yari (spear) beside the blade. There are five pages dedicated just to hadome (guards) and another four pages dedicated to hirumaki (endcaps).

Another nice feature is the glossary of terms related to spears at the end of the book. I have found that very useful during my research.

The only thing this book does not cover is how to use Japanese polearms; however I don’t believe the author’s intention was to write a book on that topic.

Overall, I like this book a lot, and would recommend it to anyone who is willing to buy one. Although I do recommend you have a serious interest in the topic, since the cost may not justify a casual curiosity.

Japanese Spears – Poelarms And Their Use In Old Japan

By Roald & Patricia Knutsen

ISBN # 1-901903-56-7

Global Oriental, 2004

Approximately $50.00

This book is by the same author as the above reviewed book, and his wife. Like the previous book, this book also covers history, manufacture, furnishings, and terms.

In many ways it’s an update to Mr. Knutsen’s previous work, and the information within it, as well as the production quality are a lot better.

This book is also a lot more affordable.

One big difference between the two books is the amount of pictures. Unlike the previous book there are fewer photos, and many more line drawings. However, the photos are clearer, and the line drawings depict many more styles of yari. Some that are rather oddball, such as jumonji-hoko-yari and kata-kama-hoko yari and a yari I had never seen before called an ono-no-yari.

Another major difference is that this book also covers some actual techniques one can do with a yari and a naginata (halberd). While not very detailed, anyone who has trained with a yari or naginata may benefit from them.

If I had to choose between the two books I would select this one. I think the author really added a lot of information compared to the 1963 edition, and it would appear to me has a better grasp of the topic matter. Or, if nothing else has learned to transmit the information he knows in a clearer more precise manner.