Does this blade suggest Seppuku-specific intended use?

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wlwhittier

wlwhittier

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This is a recent acquisition. Weight is ~8 ounces; O/A length is ~11 inches; blade length is 5-7/8 inches.

The simplicity of design and relative lack of high-craft in execution leads me to believe it may have been intended for a single use by the owner. There are NO characters on the tang, either side. Missing is the tapered bamboo pin that secures the handle to the blade. The copper ferrule was soldered at one time, and that joint is now cracked.

It is shown exactly as received, except that a silk pouch with long tasseled cords was around it. The condition of that pouch hints at age, but it doesn't fit the assembly correctly. Pics of the pouch on demand. Three more shots of the blade in next post.

Any thoughts, folks? Thanks, wlw
 
That might look like a handle and sheath to us ignorant gaijin, but it's not. That's the way blades are stored when they're not being used. It's called shirasaya. So ignore the wooden case and just look at (and photograph) the blade.
 
As pointed out that is a shirasaya. In a real seppuku ritual the blade would be removed from the shirasaya and the handle portion wrapped in paper. Therefore the shirasaya has nothing to do with seppuku. In fact I do not believe there is a "seppuku specific" tanto. The only exception that comes to mind is the adorned one worn by the Gyouji (referee) of a Grand Sumo match in the highest ranks, symobilizing te willingness to commit seppuku if he makes an errror in a call. But it is symbolic only.
 
Wow... a ref that would off himself if he made a mistake??? We could use some of those in the NFL.
 
Cougar Allen said:
That might look like a handle and sheath to us ignorant gaijin, but it's not. That's the way blades are stored when they're not being used. It's called shirasaya. So ignore the wooden case and just look at (and photograph) the blade.
Click to expand...

Yep...I'll do more pics, blade only. Great response, Allen...Thanks!
 
Looks like a typical mumei tanto but I don't think I've ever seen a nakago with such a cut in it.
Good luck in finding further information about it.
 
Could it be cut down from a sword? I'm not sure why I thought that, but...well, it's a gut reaction.
 
David Stifle said:
Could it be cut down from a sword? I'm not sure why I thought that, but...well, it's a gut reaction.
Click to expand...

That's a thought, did someone fashion a tanto from the end of a sword? It could be, but every nakago I've ever seen had a hole in it or two. Or if it was a cut down tachi three. Not sure what to make of this one, but I'm certainly no expert.
 
That notch in the nakago is the resut of the mekugi location being "unusual" at best, and "all wrong" at worst.
 
Neither of those links above show a tang like the notched tang shown in this thread. still seems to be a mystery to me. You might think about posting this in the sword forum, there are some very knowledgeable guys there on Japanese knives.
 
That's a fine idea!

Can I just move the OP, or is it necessary to re-write the post there?

Thanks! wlw
 
The notch may mean that it was cut down? Its my understanding that when a sword was cut down they had to mark it so in some way.It was a law pushable by death.

I also have handled, sold etc a few real japanese blades and the middle size one was used for ritual Seppuku.

There are 3 basic lengths. Katana is the longest, wakizashi is the middle, and the tango is the shortest one.

Now I don't claim to be an expert on this field of Swords.
 
wlw -

If you look at the lower left corner of each post, you'll see a little black triangle with an exclamation point in it. Clicking on one of those allows you to report a post to a moderator for further action.

If you go to your original post and click on that one, you can ask a moderator to move it. The moderator will then move the whole thread to the appropriate sub-forum.
 
Tanto with a yokote/sword style kissaki are pretty rare, especially wth a blade that short. My bet is it's cut down.
Most tanto are hira-zukuri (full height convex).
 
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