...still another kwaiken!!!

Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior, by Clive Sinclaire (page 88):
Another type, often of late manufacture, is known as kwaiken. Usually with no metal mounts, except perhaps a menuki, this is almost a miniature tanto. It was said to be a woman's weapon that could be hidden in the sleeve of the kimono.
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The Traditional Art of Japan, by H. Batterson Boger (page 119):
Another interesting weapon within the category of daggers is the kwaiken, which is an early form of either single-edged or double-edged knife carry by Japanese women.
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Arms and Amor of the Samurai, by Bottomley and Anthony Hopson (page 157):
Women of the samurai class carried a small dirk, kaiken, in the fold of their kimono, both a weapon of defence and, in the last resort, as a mean of committing suicide.
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From Wikipedia:

A kaiken (懐剣?, prior to modern orthographic reform kwaiken; also futokoro-gatana) is a dagger formerly carried by men and women of the samurai class in Japan. 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 (suicide). A woman received a kaiken as part of her wedding gifts. Many of these daggers had black-lacquered handles and matching scabbards. They could be carried in a pouch of brocade with a drawstring for easy access. In modern times, kaiken have become part of the traditional Japanese marriage, being one of the items carried by a bride for good luck.

Anyway - I'm more interested in what defines a traditional Kwaiken in terms of design and construction. If anyone has info - I am all ears.

Roger
 
... well, I think we can all rest assured that there's no knife on the planet that will restore MY virtue!!!! ; )
 
lol...
 
I'm ok with what you call it....the reason that I would like to see these with a habaki is only due to the sheathing option, and also rust mitigation.

With a habaki, you could make a wood cored scabbard that would allow the knife to be safely stored, reducing the possibility of oxidation....thusly preserving the beautiful hamon.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
All these years I have been carrying around girls knives :(

I might as well get heels and a purse :)
 
Thanks for the extra photo. Just confirms how much I like your version of this.

All this discussion about a traditional Kaiken... hmm... definitely interested to see if someone can find some good examples.

**edit**

Here's a couple historical pics I found

ww1147.jpg


Picture2-2.png
 
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Thanks for those pics Stuart. If those are the traditional examples, then I have to say I prefer their contemporary namesakes. That isn't the case with Tantos, Wakizashis and Katanas - where I feel the traditional pieces display usurpassed elegance and lethal beauty.

Roger
 
If I am not mistaken these style knives besides being carried by women where also used as utility knives

This is what I have found these modern adaptations excel at

I have been using these style knives for over 20 years and it is one of my favorite designs

Matt's look as good or better than any I have seen
 
Roger,

The historical one is supposed to be a tiny little knife. If you search using the term "kaiken" such as "antique kaiken," you will find more examples of them. They are just really small tanto without tsuba (guard). This one has a blade under 4 inches, most tanto are over 7 inches.

http://www.trocadero.com/galeriehafner/items/1054187/item1054187.html

Citadel Knives make a good looking double edge version and is historically accurate.

PS: Moderator, I don't know if it is appropriate for linking to a commercial site. The item was already sold and unavailable. But if it is inappropriate, please delete the link and accept my sincere apology.
 
[video=youtube;_qDxOUtOOs0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qDxOUtOOs0&feature=player_detailpage[/video]
 
Cool vid - this is the same blade before the handle wrap? That hamon is really happenin'!

Roger
 
Yup - same knife!

Told ya, I just can't seem to get that effect through a photograph, no matter how I try...
 
Matthew Gregory said:
Yup - same knife!

Told ya, I just can't seem to get that effect through a photograph, no matter how I try...
Click to expand...

Well, whether it's shimmery damascus or a ghostly hamon - no photo can show what a video can. Though some - Coop comes to mind - are exceptionally good at capturing both in a still photo as well as can be done.

You've certainly done better than I could in this respect.

Roger
 
Scott and I both really like this knife. I love the contrast between the wood and the wrap, and the hamon is excellent. Scott says its all good. Nice job!

Lydia McGhee (the wife)
 
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