The Japanese Spear (Yari)

by Miho Okamoto | Museum Notes

The Japanese Spear

After the mongol invasion, the spear (yari) started becoming more popular because the Mongolian army was attacking in larger units and swords were ineffective and heavy.
The spear with the katana-like blades are called naginata. Naginatas are commonly used by foot soldiers and female samurai.
The spears were more common than the katana during the Muromachi period and Sengoku periods.