An Interesting Old Japanese Weapon

[Daniel Griffin]

I have had this for years and thought that it might be of interest , this is a Japanese battle axe or Masakari, known to have used by Yamabushi - warrior monks. It weighs 9 lbs and is 52" long and is very sturdy.

[NLF]

Are you sure it's not a fire fighters ax?

[Daniel Griffin]

Fire axes look completely different.

[checkit]

Hmmm ... I sold off my books on misc. Japanese Weapons; however, will offer this.

It is not a traditional fire axe design but could well be one. Does not appear to be a fighting weapon. (The Yamabushi monks carried Naginata.)

Fire axes can get pricey if it is an unusual one in good condition. The nicer ones were carried by high-ranking Samurai as a symbol of their leadership as a "fire chief".

Pictured is a traditional Samurai-era fire axe.

[Daniel Griffin]

You will note that the end cap is the same as used on a naginada and the upper haft uses the same twisted string.
As noted in Bottomley and Hopsom
"Contemporary scrolls show some samurai armed with masakari fitted with long shafts but, like the kumade and kama they are rare weapons, carried only by individuals who had developed the special skills to use them."

[Papa Nambu]

I have had this for years and thought that it might be of interest , this is a Japanese battle axe or Masakari, known to have used by Yamabushi - warrior monks. It weighs 9 lbs and is 52" long and is very sturdy.

I've seen these in Japanese artwork, but this is the first real one I've seen.

[checkit]

Ian Bottomley's expertise is beyond reproach, so I stand corrected

[b-m-n_animal]

I've only every seen these in woodblocks of Sohei (Mainly of Benki), I don’t even think the museum I work at has one in its collection, I've never saw one when I was working in the auction world either very nice and rare weapon.

[gunto]

I have seen on woodblocks too. Very nice nutcracker