Help Identifying A Carved Bone Tanto?

[KSgent]

I received a blade from an older family member (a collector) a few years ago. After researching it’s origins all I have found out is that it is most likely a Japanese tanto, definitely made of bone, and possibly old. I was hoping someone else might give me more to go on. It very well could be worth nothing or something but I have no expertise in this area. Any opinions anyone has please share, thank you!

I am pretty sure the cord attached to the bag was added later based on its condition in relation to everything else, the blade could have also been restored.

 

*EDIT*

 

I was able to remove the handle to find the signature on the tang, both sides of the tang have inscriptions. I've tried translating but it seems like a very slow process.

[ROKUJURO]

What is your name please?

[KSgent]

What is your name please?

Kathy.

[Fuuten]

Hi Kathy, welcome.

 

Most bone fitting koshirae (the fittings), are export pieces (for tourists). As such they are often not made the traditional way and therefor aren't really Nihonto. If you want to learn more about it, coming here is a good step. Others will chime in.

 

For now see if you can remove the mekugi - peg in the handle, then remove the handle gently and make a photo of it (and add it here). The tang often says a lot. Also just in case it is a genuine piece, never touch the blade with your bare hands, only the handle. And don't put things on top of it (like the shirasaya/scabbard - like in the last photo). Search this forum for some basic care and maintenance for Japanese swords. Also you could search for tourist pieces, bone/ivory etc. Too.

 

Edit: check this link out and take heed of the 'do not' portion.

https://japaneseswordindex.com/care.htm

[Brian]

Just to clarify, with Japanese swords..."tourist" means late 1800's when Japan was opened to the West.  Lots of trade and exports.
In our side of the world, tourist means yesterday in New York. In Japan, early 1900's is considered brand new

[Stephen]

i would like to see the tang.

[KSgent]

Hi Kathy, welcome.

 

Most bone fitting koshirae (the fittings), are export pieces (for tourists). As such they are often not made the traditional way and therefor aren't really Nihonto. If you want to learn more about it, coming here is a good step. Others will chime in.

 

For now see if you can remove the mekugi - peg in the handle, then remove the handle gently and make a photo of it (and add it here). The tang often says a lot. Also just in case it is a genuine piece, never touch the blade with your bare hands, only the handle. And don't put things on top of it (like the shirasaya/scabbard - like in the last photo). Search this forum for some basic care and maintenance for Japanese swords. Also you could search for tourist pieces, bone/ivory etc. Too.

 

Edit: check this link out and take heed of the 'do not' portion.

https://japaneseswordindex.com/care.htm

 

 

Thanks for all of the advice, I've posted a couple pictures of the tang up above.

[Peter Bleed]

Kiku Ichimonji, wow

Actually, this is a rather interesting - and nice - one. Usually they were done up with bark wood keys, but this guy really is "bone". A Japanese friend of mine - now passed - was interesting in the Meiji era bone working indistry. It turns out that THE first major international industry that Meiji Japan developed was bone working. This was when the US and the World discovered tooth brushes and Japan tooled up to meet that fad. And who did bone working in Japan? - - the much maligned Eta or Burakumin. But, hey, tourists will buy anything.

The demand was such that there developed a pretty solid bone trade - bison, cow, etc.between the US and Japan. Raw bone in, tooth brushes (and occasional daggers(?) out.

Don't call this a "samurai sword."

Peter

[KSgent]

Kiku Ichimonji, wow

Actually, this is a rather interesting - and nice - one. Usually they were done up with bark wood keys, but this guy really is "bone". A Japanese friend of mine - now passed - was interesting in the Meiji era bone working indistry. It turns out that THE first major international industry that Meiji Japan developed was bone working. This was when the US and the World discovered tooth brushes and Japan tooled up to meet that fad. And who did bone working in Japan? - - the much maligned Eta or Burakumin. But, hey, tourists will buy anything.

The demand was such that there developed a pretty solid bone trade - bison, cow, etc.between the US and Japan. Raw bone in, tooth brushes (and occasional daggers(?) out.

Don't call this a "samurai sword."

Peter

 

Kiku Ichimonji?

 

Thanks for all the info!

[KSgent]

I’m wondering if anyone can read the characters on the tang, a date would be nice, but any part of it would be cool to see. I’ve tried to translate but I’ve gotten nowhere.

[Brian]

Translation is as given.. Kiku Ichimonji.
It is a homage (read fake) to the old masters of sword making. Call it a dedication signature.

[Bazza]

SAKU - don't forget the saku under KIKU ICHIMONJI...

 

I can't read any of the other side of the tang...

 

BaZZa.

[KSgent]

Oh okay thank you!

[KSgent]

I was hoping to get a feel for how much something like this would be worth but there’s a lot of mixed feelings about it, does anyone have an idea?

[Brian]

Minimal unfortunately. The blade is not traditionally made. I would say as an old Japanese trinket, you might get between $200 and $300 at a guess?

[Stephen]

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