THE JAPANESE SWORDS I HAVE SEEN WITH THE SCABBARD AND HANDLES CARVED LIKE THIS ONES ARE SAID TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED BY PHYSICIANS / DOCTORS. I HAVE ONE CARVED LIKE A TYPE OF FISH FOUND IN THE WATERS SURROUNDING HOKKAIDO THE NORTH MOST JAPANESE ISLAND. THEY ARE USUALLY THE LENGTH OF THE SHORTER WAZZIKAI SWORDS NOT THE FULL SIZE KATANA . I AM NOT SURE IF A TANTO (DAGGER SIZE) WOULD BE A DOCTORS SWORD. I AM SURE THOSE WHO COLLECT JAPANESE WEAPONS CAN GIVE YOU BETTER INFORMATION. IT LOOKS LIKE A NICE ONE CONGRATULATIONS.
