An unusual and rare Japanese fukuro-yari, probably mid-Edo period, the leaf shaped blade finely engraved and cut to one side with a figure of Fudo Myo-o standing defending Buddha’s law amid flames, the opposite side with signature among flames rising from a fire pit, with socket fitting and mounted on a mother-of-pearl or abalone inlaid shaft with lacquered decoration, fitted with an unusual hook projection, blade length 30cm, overall length 185cm. Provenance: the collection of the late Roald Knutsen (1933-2025); purchased Swap Shop, Croydon, 20th January 1962, for £2 5s. Note: probably used for ceremonial or processional use. Illustrated in ‘Japanese Polearms’ by Roald M. Knutsen, The Holland Press, London: 1963, page 192, figure 45. Roald Knutson identified the signature as Echizen-No-Ju Yoshishige and noted that the smith’s family name is Takahashi and he originally worked at Harima. He also noted that the use of the hook is unclear.