Yari were characterized by a straight blade that could be anywhere from a foot long, to a meter and a half long. The blades were made of the same high-quality steel that the swords and arrow-heads of samurai weapons were forged with, and yari blades were very durable. The shafts were made of wood, with metal rings spaced along the shaft to strengthen the spear during combat.
Yari were more commonly used by samurai than were swords, and foot troops (ashigaru) used them extensively as well. While it has not received the same recognition as has the katana, the spear was an invaluable weapon of war.