Unusual tanto in the shape of a dragon

[ronpakis]

Hello Henk,

I think the scabbard is indeed, as stated, created for economic purposes instead as for the traditional Japanese market. The blade does not look very wel imho but the pictures are bad. It looks like it has a dent in the cutting edge, not a sharp dent but more like a wave. Perhaps somebody used a grinder? Doe it have a hamon and hada? (When you receive it we will know)

Greetings Ronpakis

[Henk]

Hello all,

Thank you for your input.

I followed the advise Spiral gave me and i sent a mail to Aoi Art. I hope they will take the time to give me an answer.

Estcrh,
If there was a description of the seller i would gladly post it, but there is none. I bought it at an auction and i was struck by it for sentimental reasons.

I certainly may hope a grinder wasn't used When i recieve it i'm probably able to tell you more.
For me the value goes beyond the money, although the price i paid wasn't a price bringing up big expectations of a superb blade.

[Henk]

This is the answer i became today from Aoi Art.

This unusual engraving was made after the war time.
After the war ended a lot of occupation troops stayed Japan, and Japanese dealers sold as souvenir.
Many soldier bought as a memory of the victory of the war.
So ,you saw the item as same as yours

[Nathaniel]

Interesting information. Thanks for sharing, Henk. Touristy or not, I definitely appreciate the wood carving by hand..., today it would be done with power tools and probably plastic.

[VANDOO]

HERE ARE 3 EXAMPLES OF UNUSUAL JAPANESE KNIVES THAT FALL INTO THE SAME CATEGORY AS YOUR EXAMPLE. #1 HAS A YARI SPEAR BLADE AND IS CARVED LIKE A HOKADO FISH #2. JAPANESE SHRIMP OR LOBSTER KNIFE.
#3. SAID TO BE A JAPANESE TEMPLE KNIFE. UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO BETTER INFO. BUT THEY FALL IN THE TANTO SIZE RANGE RATHER THAN THE SHORT SWORD SIZE.

[Henk]

Thanks Vandoo for sharing your examples. I really like them.
It is just as Nathaniel said. It is absolutely well carved and your temple knife is done with real ivory and horn.

[Rich]

While the koshirae may be "tourista" the yari blade is definitely not. Occasionally some good blades are found in these type mounts.
Rich S

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Henk

.
I followed the advise Spiral gave me and i sent a mail to Aoi Art. I hope they will take the time to give me an answer.
:

Originally Posted by Henk

This is the answer i became today from Aoi Art.

This unusual engraving was made after the war time.
After the war ended a lot of occupation troops stayed Japan, and Japanese dealers sold as souvenir.
Many soldier bought as a memory of the victory of the war.
So ,you saw the item as same as yours

Glad it helped.