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Wayne B., I'm interested in #3 if it's still available.

Dave, That is really interesting. Started me to read more about the traditional way the tanto could have been carried, especially by women and it’s purpose.

All, thank you very much for the detailed comments, review and advise. I will definitely take heed, hear the experts before making a decision. It’s addicting, like my day is not complete unless I check the forum for comments to read. Reading literature is the foundation of learning but compared to my military service, we learned a lot from other’s hands on experience, positive or negative. Ken, you are definitely right when you said “That may turn out to be the most-expensive $75 you ever spent”.

Thanks to everyone! It’s been very interesting reading all the commentary. This is a good learning process for novices like me, understanding the complexity of different blades. For a quick background about the tanto, I found it the flea market for $75 dollars just to keep as a conversation piece. Not until I signed up in this forum where my curiosity gets tickled by the wealth of information available. Whether this blade is somewhat genuine or not, I treasure more the information you all provided. There’s an interesting mune shape above the yokote/kissaki.

Chris S, I learned another word ( sori ) and what it meant. That tanto looks amazing. All, Thank you for the information provided. I did not realize what history lies behind the tanto I have.

Tom C Thank you for the correction about the dragonfly. I don’t know why I typed butterfly.

Additional photos of the Aikuchi tanto.

Good afternoon! Please bear with me with my first post and request for information ( newly signed member). The following information are the ones I have measured myself in regards to the Tanto: Nagasa - 22 cm Nagako - Mumei Blade - Osoraku Moto-haha - 4 mm Base witdh - 23 mm Kurigata - looks like black horn Saya - Not sure if it’s lacquered but it has embossed butterfly. Koshirae - Aikuchi style I could not find during my research an example of this simple koshirae and the embossed design intrigues me. I am also not sure if the Kogai is original to the koshirae. I’ve had this Tanto but did not pay attention to the details. Now that my interest in learning about Nihonto as an art form, maybe I could learn more about this tanto. I am really not sure if it qualifies in that category. Any comments or recommendation will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. Likewise, thank you for your service.

Thank you Barry. Looking forward to learn more, slowly but surely! Just ordered “The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords” by Kokan Nagayama. I have reviewed some of the posts and I am amazed with the wealth of knowledge and integrity of members to point novices like me in the right direction. Best regards, Arnel S

Good afternoon to all! I became a member today to fulfill my first step in learning as my fascination in Nihonto as an art form grows. I am a US Navy veteran, served for 33 years and retired back in 2016. I’ve been interested in WW2 memorabilia’s (US and Japan) since I could remember growing up in the Philippines. I have a couple of Gunto but I want to learn more about traditionally made swords. I have a lot of readings to do and I hope to be an active participant in this forum. Best regards, Arnel S ( Murrieta, California)