The Tenka San Meisō — Nihongō, Otegine, and Tonbokiri: The History of the Renowned Spears Ranked Alongside the Tenka Goken

The name tenka san meisō is a designation handed down from the Edo period, referring to the three ōmi-yari — Nihongō, Otegine, and Tonbokiri. Considered the counterpart of the "tenka goken" of nihontō, they have been passed down through the ages as the three most renowned among spear-type weapons. What the three have in common is that their cultural value has accumulated not merely through their appraisal as practical weapons of war, but together with the anecdotes surrounding the warlords who owned them. This article examines the background behind how these weapons, known as renowned spears, have been transmitted to the present day, while summarizing each one's history and current whereabouts.

The Name "San Meisō" Ranked Alongside the Tenka Goken

Just as the "tenka goken" in the world of swords refers to the five blades — Dōjigiri Yasutsuna, Mikazuki Munechika, Onimaru Kunitsuna, Ōdenta Mitsuyo, and Juzumaru Tsunetsugu — the tenka san meisō is what has been similarly ranked in the world of spears. In the warrior society of the Edo period, renowned spears as well as famous swords were treated as treasures symbolizing family prestige and military merit, and their reputations became fixed as they were passed down alongside their associated anecdotes. What all three of the san meisō have in common is not merely that the craftsmanship of their blades was outstanding, but that specific episodes connected to their owners have been told to later generations.

Nihongō — The "Drinking Prize" Spear That Symbolizes the Kuroda Warrior

Nihongō is an ōmi-yari with a sasaho-gata blade, and its blade length is said to be approximately 79.2 cm. The maker is mumei, with theories including that it is the work of the Yamato Kanabō school, though this has not been established. It is also said to have originally been an item associated with the imperial household, having passed through the hands of multiple figures of power before ultimately being handed down to the Kuroda family. The best-known tale is the anecdote surrounding Mori Tahei, a retainer of the Kuroda family. The story that Mori Tahei received this spear as a reward for draining a large cup of sake offered to him at the residence of Fukushima Masanori later became the subject of a folk song called "Kuroda-bushi" and continues to be widely beloved to this day. It is currently held at Fukuoka City Museum, where there are opportunities for it to be displayed through permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions.

Otegine — The Massive Sasaho Spear Lost to the Fires of War

Otegine is an exceptionally large ōmi-yari said to have been handed down through the Yūki family, with a blade length reported to be approximately 138 cm (four shaku and six sun). It has been described as the most imposing of the san meisō, owing to the length of its shaft and the size of its blade. The name is said to derive from the resemblance of its saya to a tekine, the mallet used for pounding rice cakes. Regrettably, the original piece no longer exists; it is said to have been destroyed in the Great Tokyo Air Raids of 1945. What can be seen today at museums and memorial facilities are replicas produced on the basis of historical materials and records. The very fact that the original has been lost can be said to contain a historical lesson that is indispensable when considering the provenance of a renowned spear.

Tonbokiri — The Masterwork by Fujiwara Masazane Beloved by Honda Tadakatsu

Tonbokiri is particularly famous as the beloved spear of Honda Tadakatsu, one of the Tokugawa Shitennō. Its blade length is said to be approximately 43.7 cm (one shaku and four sun). The name's origin is attributed to a legend illustrating the sharpness of the blade tip: a dragonfly that flew into it was said to have been split clean in two merely by touching the tip. The maker is said to be Fujiwara Masazane, a tōkō of Mikawa province, and the intricate carvings of a sankoken and bonji on the blade attest to a high level of craftsmanship. It is also noteworthy that it is one of the confirmed surviving pieces among the san meisō, on deposit at Sano Art Museum in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture (private collection), where there are opportunities for it to be exhibited.

Where the San Meisō Are Today — Existence, Whereabouts, and Public Accessibility

The three renowned spears have each followed a different path. Their current status can be summarized as follows.

In this way, while Nihongō and Tonbokiri survive and can be viewed at museums, Otegine has lost its original and can only be recalled through a replica. The fact that, even within the same grouping of "tenka san meisō," the fates followed were so markedly different speaks to how the transmission of masterworks rests on an accumulation of chance and preservation effort. It is precisely because records and anecdotes have been passed down despite the constant risk of loss through war, disaster, and changes of ownership that we today are able to know of their existence under the umbrella term of the san meisō.

The Japanese Weapons Culture That the Renowned Spears Speak To

The tenka san meisō all demonstrate that the spear, as a weapon, has been treated not merely as a tool of combat but as a cultural artifact bound up with the military achievements and anecdotes of its owners. The paths of each of the three are contrasting: Nihongō, which survives and is open to the public; Otegine, which was destroyed and can only be recalled through a replica; and Tonbokiri, which can be viewed directly at a museum. Like nihontō, spears too can be said to be historical witnesses that have — or have not — been transmitted to the present day through changes of era and ownership. Knowing these anecdotes enriches the perspective with which one views swords and other weapons.

TOUKENZA publishes online columns introducing the history and culture surrounding these weapons in addition to nihontō themselves. Those considering purchasing a sword can browse swords currently listed through the online catalog, and may also use the inquiry form for any questions.