Small aikuchi for comments

[rumpel9]

Total length is 29 cm, blade length 13.5 cm.
Comments are welcome. It is also possible that someone will translate the signature on the tang.

[kronckew]

Is it still an aikuchi if it has an integral guard like this one? Is the grip loose when pegged? That tang redrilling/hole overlap looks like it'd be loose. Hopefully the habaki takes up the slack. Is the blade new, or has someone cleaned the tang?

[mariusgmioc]

This appears yo be a ken. But I cannot distinguish clearly the hamon so I wonder if it really is nihonto. The signature also looks strange, at least on one side.

The oxidation of the tang looks like fairly recent production. My guess would be Showa wartime.

I am not familiar with this type of koshirae but it definitely is not aikuchi. And most likely it is not Japanese. :shrug:

PS: Maybe you should address this to a forum specialised in nihonto, like Nihonto Message Board.

[Rich]

Agreed, post it to Nihonto Message Board. Nice looking, possibly recent (Showa) ken blade. Previously mounted - two mekugi-ana,
One through part of mei. What is the koshirae made of? Never seen mounts like that.
Rich

[pbleed]

This is a KEN, it is dated 1874, and it appears to be signed Hozan but with the extra hole and the odd orientation I am a bit challenged. The mounts are terrific
Peter

[David R]

Nice to see a Japanese blade here. I look forward to seeing more about this one.

[colin henshaw]

A most interesting and unusual dagger. Japanese double-edged blades being less common than single-edged. Looking forward to hearing more about it.