Tomoe

From FFXIclopedia, the free Final Fantasy XI encyclopedia

Statistics Tomoe (Polearm) All Races DMG: 86 Delay: 480 Accuracy +5 Attack +5 Parrying skill +10 "Subtle Blow" +5 Lv. 72 SAM / DRG Damage Per Second: 10.75 TP Per Hit: 13%	Other Uses Resale Price: Cannot be sold to NPCs.
Synthesis Recipes None	Used in Recipes None
Desynthesis Recipe None	Obtained From Desynthesis None

How to Obtain

Cannot be auctioned, traded, or bazaared.

Dropped From

Name	Level	Zone
Armed Gears (NM)		Alzadaal Undersea Ruins

Historical Information

A tomoe (巴) is a Japanese abstract shape (a swirl) that resembles a comma or the usual form of magatama. It is a common design element in Japanese family emblems and corporate logos, particularly in triplicate spiral patterns known as mitsu tomoe. The Hidari Gomon, mitsu tomoe variant, is the traditional symbol of Okinawa.

The other possible name reference of the weapon is to one of the few examples of a true Samurai warrior woman in all of Japanese History- Tomoe Gozen (1157?-1247?). A Samurai during the Genpei War (1180-1185). She is described in the "Tale of the Heike" as follows-

"Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a mighty bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors."

—Tale of the Heike, translated by Helen McCullough, page 291.

One weapon she commonly used was the Naginata, a type of polearm commonly used by Samurai, and the same form the Polearm takes in game.