{"product_id":"original-18th-century-japanese-edo-period-handmade-tanto-short-sword-with-lacquered-scabbard","title":"Original 18th Century Japanese Edo Period Handmade Tanto Short Sword with Lacquered Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Purchased at a recent military show, this is a very nice Japanese Tanto (短刀), which literally translates to \"short sword\". These could be in any number of different shapes, depending on the requests of the person who ordered it. The blade length of a tanto is typically between 15 and 30 cm (5.9 to 11.8 inches), or 1 Japanese shaku, an ancient measurement. The blade of this example is in the typical Hira Zukuri (平造り- flat shape), which means it is a blade without a shinogi, or ridge typical of longer blades. It comes as a complete set with lacquered decorative scabbard, a lovely handle (tsuka), and a very nice patinated iron crossguard (tsuba).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example dates from the Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. It has been remounted several times, indicated by the amount of wear in the MEKUGI-ANA (peg hole), as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or \"anonymous\". We estimate this blade was probably made in the mid 18th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has the following period correct features, indicating it is forged in the traditional manner using folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE (玉鋼 - precious steel) smelted iron sand:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- The hole in the tang (meguki-ana) is punched, and not drilled.\u003cbr\u003e- Folded steel blade - fold lines are evident on the body and spine of blade, as well as grain typical of folded steel.\u003cbr\u003e- Faintly visible temper line (\"hamon\") running full length of blade cutting edge\u003cbr\u003e- Hada or Grain is visible throughout the blade surface.\u003cbr\u003e- The Blade has lamination artifacts or \"blade wounds\" (kizu) such as ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits), only possible on traditionally made blades.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good condition, the blade of this example is quite nice, still relatively sharp, and not showing any dents, nicks, dings, or other damage to the edge or tip. It shows a lovely bright finish, and looks to have been cleaned in the past using UCHIKO powder, made from the dust of the finest grade polishing stones. This has however unfortunately degraded the traditional polish on the blade, making the aspects of the blade hard to see, only visible in the right light. Blade length is approximately 12 ¼\" and overall length 18\". It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with a Haagari (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade shows a faint GUNOME (互の目 - zig zag undulating)) temper line (刃文 - HAMON), which is easier to see on the left side of the blade, though we can also make it out on the right. We can see the NIE crystals present along the transition, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon visible. The body of the blade (JI) also shows hada (grain), which is a lovely ITAME (板目 - Wood grain) pattern. We can also see some small FUKURE carbon pits as well as WARE lamination lines. The BOSHI (帽子 - tip temper line) is unfortunately not visible at all. With the lack of any major oxidation, this blade is definitely a prime candidate for being sent to a TOGISHI for a traditional Japanese polish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with some smaller tanto we have seen, the fittings are somewhat minimized in shape and size. The iron TSUBA (cross guard) is relatively small, in the rounded MARU GATA shape, though it actually still has two HITSU-ANA holes, one for the KOGAI hair ornament and one for the KOZUKA handle of a KOGATANA. There are three brass SEPPA spacers around the tsuba to keep it from wobbling, and the TSUKA handle is fitted with a FUCHI top fitting and KASHIRA end cap, both of which are embossed blacked brass with some gold highlighting. The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, and the light green ITO (grip wrapping) is in very good condition, showing only light staining and wear, with some minor sweat and oil stains present. There are two blacked brass \u003cstrong\u003ePRAYING MANTIS\u003c\/strong\u003e menuki grip ornaments with gilt highlights held in place by the wrapping. The handle is held in place by what looks to be an original peg, and the handle is a bit loose on the tang. The HABAKI blade collar is made from blacked copper, typical of the EDO period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scabbard (saya) is in good condition, covered with a lovely textured black or dark brown lacquer finish, with a dotted line design down the center of both sides. There is an accessory slot for a kogatana knife, which matches the cut outs in the cross guard and spacers. Unfortunately, the SAYAJIRI bottom fitting is missing, as is the KOIGUCHI thraot fitting, and the scabbard has splitting along the seams on both sides. The KURIKATA knob for the SAGEO sword cord is missing as well, as is the reinforcement for the kogatana slot. We can also see a long dent over the knife slot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice Japanese Tanto short sword from the Edo period with a lovely blade in some very nice fittings! Ready to and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications :\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 12 ¼\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Hira-Zukuri (平造り) - tanto\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 18“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 13 ⅞\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach hand-made Samurai sword is unique because it is forged from steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45183027675205,"sku":"ONJR25MAMD102","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/645C11C0-1ED4-47FD-8FC8-D2DF5BA9CDF7.jpg?v=1781890661","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-18th-century-japanese-edo-period-handmade-tanto-short-sword-with-lacquered-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}