A Japanese hoko, Edo period, with fine L-form blade, blade length 17.5cm, the long tang with single hole piercing and signed to one face, mounted on an oak shaft, the upper grip section of corrugated black lacquer with copper and rattan bindings, the fuchi fitting with household mon, and iron hirumaki terminal, overall length 251cm. Provenance: the collection of the late Roald Knutsen (1933-2025); ex H. Russell Robinson Collection 1959, purchased for £2. Note: illustrated in ‘Japanese Polearms’ by Roald M. Knutsen, The Holland Press, London: 1963, page 156, plate 27. Roald Knutsen identified the signature as Kunimasa, probably 17th/18th century, but noted that there were twenty-four recorded smiths with this name.