Unusual tanto in the shape of a dragon

Nathaniel · 24th January 2015, 10:10 PM

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 · 25th January 2015, 02:32 AM

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 · 25th January 2015, 11:13 AM

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 · 25th January 2015, 11:54 AM

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

24th January 2015, 10:10 PM	#1
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	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.

25th January 2015, 02:32 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	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. Attached Images

25th January 2015, 11:13 AM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	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.

25th January 2015, 11:54 AM	#4
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	While the koshirae may be "tourista" the yari blade is definitely not. Occasionally some good blades are found in these type mounts. Rich S