Shanghai 1932

[hisashi]

It looks like a Chinese Tai Chi sword.

[Dave R]

Google Omi-Yari.

[hisashi]

'Otegine(replica)'

otegine .jpg (5.41 KiB) Viewed 336 times

'Tombogiri'

tombogiri.JPG (15.48 KiB) Viewed 336 times

'Nihon-Go'

nihon-go.jpg (10.72 KiB) Viewed 336 times

In general Omi-Yari has nothing to do with any temple or priest of any religion. Those three Omi-Yari were the most famous ones, all simply used by samurai. Tombogiri has three Siddhaṃ alphabet carvings, representing Buddhism Gods the owner believed in, including Yama, king of the hell. But the owner/user was a samurai.

The spearDave quoted shows हां, a symbol of Buddhism God Acala, protector of all livings. It was quite likely that a samurai liked to carve this symbol as a charm.

[Dave R]

hisashi, I can see why you think the blade might be a jian, but I think the lack of a guard, and apparent length of shaft makes it more likely some form of large Yari. The reason for the mention of temple or processional use is that those are the ones I am more familiar with, and which I can see a reason for one being present in Shanghai at that time.
What brought me to this forum was chasing up the prevalence, use and distribution of Shin Gunto, Kyo Gunto and Uchigatana in use during the Japanese campaigns of the 20th Century. Some very interesting stuff revealed and confirmed by the pictures on this site.

[Wellgunde]

I agree with Hisashi that this weapon appears to be a sword, specifically a Jian. Not all Jians have a guard, so I don't see this as a problem. Likewise the length, which can vary from 40 to 80cm. It is hard to tell but the soldier's right hand appears to be cupping the pommel end rather than gripping a shaft which would be the case with a pole weapon. Personally, I can't see any reason, either military or religious, for the IJA to have a Yari with them on campaign. This image has been kicking around the web for a few years. For what it's worth, the consensus then was that it is a sword.

Acala (हा) is known in Japan as Fudō myōō (不動明王) and is always depicted (coincidentally) holding a Jian in his right hand.