Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased at a recent military show, this is a very nice Japanese Kaiken (懐剣), which translates to "pocket sword". Very similar to the Tanto (短刀 - short sword), these were often worn by women, and were used strictly for combat and self-defense purposes. Typically measuring 20–25 cm (8–10 in) long with a single edged blade, these were usually housed in a plain mount with minimal ornamental fittings.

These were once carried by both men and women of the samurai class in Japan. It was useful for self-defense in indoor spaces where the long blade katana and intermediate sword wakizashi were inconvenient. Women carried them in their kimono either in a pocket-like space (懐 - futokoro) or in the sleeve pouch (tamoto) for self-defense and for ritual suicide by slashing the veins in the left side of the neck. When a samurai woman married, she was expected to carry a kaiken with her when she moved in with her husband.

This 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. We estimate it was from the later 18th century portion. The tang on this blade definitely shows advanced age, and possibly several refits. As it is unsigned, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous", and we believe it dates from the 1700s.

The blade is old, possibly several centuries, due to a few tell tale characteristics that are:
- The hole in the tang (meguki-ana) is punched, and not drilled.
- Folded steel blade - fold lines are evident on the body and spine of blade, as well as grain typical of folded steel.
- Hamon temper line is faintly visible on the blade.
- Hada or Grain is visible on the blade surface.
- Ware and kizu (blade wounds) from lamination artifacts, only possible on handmade blades.

Offered in very nice condition, the blade of this example is in the typical HIRA ZUKURI (平造) shape also used on larger tanto, which means it is a blade without a shinogi, or ridge typical of longer blades. The polish on the blade unfortunately is worn, so most of the aspects of the blade are not visible. There are traces of past oxidation, removed by cleaning. The edge is still quite sharp, so care is needed, and there are no nicks or other damage we can see. Blade length is approximately 5 ⅜" and overall length 8 ¾". It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

Due to the condition of the blade, we can just barely make out that it has a NOTARE (湾れ - wave like) HAMON temper line, which is definitely hard to visualize. We can also see that it has some ITAME (wood) pattern hada grain in the body of the blade. WARE lamination lines are visible under the handle as well as on the exposed parts of the blade.

As with most KAIKEN, the blade has somewhat minimized fittings, also often seen on smaller TANTO knives. There is a minimized nickel silver TSUBA (cross guard), and the TSUKA (Handle) is a simple type, without a FUCHI (grip collar) or any wrapping. It has a lovely Sa-Me ray skin wrapping, which has been polished slightly, and the KASHIRA feels like plated brass. The mekugi (PEG) is a two piece example that screws together, and has dog menuki grip ornaments on either side. The HABAKI blade collar is a copper type typical of the Edo Period.

The Scabbard (saya) is in very good condition, covered with a lovely textured black urushi lacquer finish with nickel silver fittings, which include the KOIGUCHI scabbard mouth and KOJIRI scabbard tip. It also has a KURIKATA knob that is made from nickel, and features a very nice scaled down sageo sword cord wrapped through it, which would be used to secure the kaiken to the clothing. The scabbard fits like a glove on the minimal cross guard, holding it securely in place.

A very nice Kaiken Dagger from the late edo period with some great fittings, ready to display!

Specifications:-
Blade Length: 5 ⅜"
Blade Style: "Hira Zukuri" 平造 tanto style
Overall length: 8 ¾“
Scabbard Length: 6 ⅛"

It 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.

Each 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.

The Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.