This is a large and very unusual yatate (inkwell) that proves, once again, that the pen is mightier than the sword. In all respects to the unwary eye, this is a large copper yatate. It is fully functioning holding a generous amount of sumi (ink). Yet when the author’s work is unduly critizied, he has but to remove the protruding wooden pin and with a gently tug, a deadly yari (spear) is revealed.
This yari was made by the sword smith Nagahide who was from Shinano province. He worked around the Kôka and Kaei eras (1844-1864). The nakago of the yari is signed Shinshû Nishina Jû Nagahide (信州仁科住長英) and it is also dated as having been made on a day in February of the fourth year of Kaei (嘉永四年二月日 (1851)).
A very interesting item, indeed.
