Description:

JAPANESE TANTO DAGGER
Japanese dagger, 13 1/2" long, with a slightly curved 8 1/2" steel blade with a diamond-shaped cross section, of the style commonly known as a "tanto". The tang of the blade bears a layer of dark brown rust, and is marked with five evenly spaced lines on one face; no other markings are present. The blade features a wave-shaped hand-forged "hamon" (cutting edge), a good indicator that the entire blade is hand-forged. The 4 1/2"long "tsuka", or handle, is wrapped with woven blue corded silk over ray skin, with two figurative brass "menuki" ornaments secured to the handle beneath the wrapping. The weapon is housed in a beautiful black lacquered wood scabbard, decorated with eleven representations of the familial device of the Tokugawa shoguns - three hollyhock leaves within a circle - in gold paint. The lacquer coating contains flecks of gold or another yellow metal, with a spiral band of crushed mother-of-pearl running the length of the scabbard. The scabbard features a pocket for a "kogatana", or small utility knife, which is missing in this example. The "mekugi", the bamboo peg that secures the tang inside the handle, is missing in this example, and the blade bears some minor pitting, else very good. A large number of extant tantos were forged in the years leading up to World War II, in the Meiji and Taisho periods, due to the restoration of the power of the Emperor. Due to their comparative unpopularity before this period, and the severe restrictions placed on the manufacture of blades following World War II, it is likely that this example was forged during this time.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 14 - 21 days for shipments to arrive after receipt of payment due to the high volume of package being shipped.

August 23, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000