Samurai Arrowhead with Sakura and Waterdrop motif, Late Edo

This type of Yanone (or Yajiri) is very elaborate with saw-cut patterns like Sakura (cherry blossom), Inome (heart shape or boars eye), Mon patterns (family crests), dragons and other geometrical patterns.
This style of arrowhead appeared during the Momoyama period (1573-1615) and continued through the Edo Period (1603-1868).
Although today Japanese warriors are renowned most for their swordsmanship, archery, especially from horseback, has been an essential part of samurai warfare and culture for centuries. Arrows were fitted with heads of varying shape according to their intended use in war, the hunt, or target practice. Arrowheads made for use on the battlefield incorporated different designs intended for specialized purposes such as the piercing of armor or to cause maximum damage to horses and unarmored personnel.
Large arrowheads, pierced and elaborately chiseled with landscapes, birds, flowers, dragons, and Buddhist divinities, were created to be admired for the beauty of their metalwork and design rather than for use in archery. (Source: Catalogue Metropolitan Museum, New York’)


References:
Very similar arrowheads can be found in the online catalogue of the Metropolitan Museum (New York). They are all dated 1615-1868.
Accession Number: 36.25.2610
Accession Number: 36.25.2643