Overall this short Japanese blade, known as a tanto, meas. approx. 12.50 inches. From what can be determined this style is called kuaiken. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long katana and intermediate wakizashi were inconvenient. Women carried them in the obi for self-defense and rarely for jigai (ritual suicide.)

The drawn blade meas. approx. 11.75 inches from point to pommel. The blade is 7.50 inches long and just over an inch wide at the ricasso. The blade surface is very bright and clean with just a few minor rub marks scattered here and there. A distinct wavy line is visible just above the sharpened edge which is perfect. The blade has a raised center line and a raised point.

The handle and sheath are made out of a beautiful light brown wood with a bone throat, pommel and base. The handle is attached by a small wooden pin that has bone escutcheons on each side. There is also a small thin piece of bone at the base of the blade against the face of the handle. The wood surface is very clean and in nice condition showing only a few minor blemishes.

The tanto comes with its original purple silk bag with gold cord drawstring. The bag has mums worked into the material for decoration. The bag is solid but has faded in areas. The gold cord drawstring has some surface dirt and has worn spots. It is capped at the end with tassels that also appear worn, frayed and tired.

Despite the wear to the bag the knife is excellent.  [ad]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!