Hoko yari is an ancient form of Japanese spear or yari said to be based on a Chinese spear.
[3] The hoko yari was thought to be a guard's spear used in the defense of palisades and gates.
One source describes hoko yari as being mounted on a two meter pole and with an 20 cm blade, either in a leaf shape or with a wavy edge similar to the Malay kris.
Like the later-period fukuro yari, the metal blade had a hollow socket for the pole to fit into, rather than a long tang.
[4] Hoko yari could also have a sickle-shaped horn projecting out and slightly forward on one or both sides of the blade, indicating that this weapon was primarily used to thrust back an enemy.