JAPANESE “STUNNING” ARROW

Edo Period. 35 1/2" length. Cane shaft with wood nock. Brown fletching of the form shown on instruction manuals of the period, secured with black silk wrap. The shaft with subtle lightly scraped surface pattern full length. Blunt cylindrical iron point. A little age-darkened throughout, the fletching sound with tattering of the cardinal spine. Blunt arrows are known in many cultures and generally are described as used to stun small game animals for live capture. We have seen no other blunt Japanese arrow but believe they were probably used for demonstrations of archery skill, as to knock over a small target or ring a bell. Alternatively and possibly additionally, they may have been used to signal as getting the attention of a comrade at distance on the battle field, without the danger of a lethal point. Worth research.