Matsunoki

As Brian says…..normal Tanto, as Jussi says looks Mino with Mei Kanemichi and most likely late Koto. Here are the Hawleys entries out of interest . As for whether to buy or not, depends on if you like/want it and if you think the price is acceptable. Do you know which of the two ana are being used with this koshirae?

If you don’t know what you are buying, don’t buy it. Show us images and then we can help you.

Peter, wouldn’t you be better off starting this on your own new thread rather than adding it onto Bobs wonderful collection? As for the bird…..no distinguishing features so really could be anything…..blackbird, sparrow….?

Looks like Minamoto Yoshitsune and Benkei on the Gojo bridge…..they had a bit of a disagreement there.

Going back a long time ago in a Nihonto galaxy far far away………we took “chisa katana” to mean a sword that was just a bit short of the then accepted minimum length of a katana. The variance was not to my knowledge ever defined so we all had our own opinions.Then there was O-wakizashi (how that differed from Chisakatana was a mystery). Then O-Tanto (probably the aforesaid sun nobi Tanto in today’s speak. By “we” I mean the scattered enthusiasts that existed mostly outside London some 45 years ago. There was more informed opinion in the Token Society which was largely London orientated but we outsiders still had a ball. Some of the stories we could tell….😳….in fact that would make a great topic maybe….? Some of you fellow members wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry or just wish you were there back then. Imagine a world with no internet, no mobile phones let alone iPhones. The only books were Ogasawara, Yumoto, Robinson and if you were very very lucky, Hawley. Anyway enough end of year rambling. If you read this….Happy New Year!

Works fine using Safari. Some very nice tsuba and Grev is a great guy to deal with.

Blimey, Jacques is wrong….😳 Anyway, the old ways are the best🙂

Not according to Japanese sources. They state it is longer than the usual length (C10”) but still less than I shaku. Ie it is a big Tanto but still within 1 shaku. Damned confusion all these official definitions. that’s why I like old school thinking from 45 years ago!

Hmmmmm, I think Jacques is perfectly correct. A sun nobi tanto is not and cannot be a Wakizashi. It is a blade that is more than the “usual length” of a Tanto (about 10”?)but less than the maximum length….. once it goes beyond 1 shaku it is a wak…..technically ….so given that a sun nobi Tanto is still less than 1 shaku how then can it be a wakizashi?

That is seriously impressive work. Congrats.

Have fun….. https://yokai.com

Google “yokai” and I think you’ll get the idea. Yokai (mythical beings) are very numerous and combine many different body parts from all manner of things that don’t exist. You can have the head of a tiger on the body of a dragon with the tail of a snake with bits covered in fish scales etc etc. Dont try and use Western logic to identify them!

Doesn’t look like a rat to me. The face is more Tengu. I think the theme is simply assorted mythical beasts….and there are many to choose from!

🙂

Now I’m confused….nagasa 28cm…..why are you calling this a wakizashi? Doesn’t look suriage or machi okuri.

Wish I hadn’t used the word “technically”. I’m just used to “old school” thinking. 🙂 I surrender! ….bur…Maybe we talk about sun-nobi Tanto just to cover all bases🙂?

Please explain…..if it isn’t the presence of a tsuba what differentiates a Tanto koshirae from an aikuchi koshirae? …..my brain seems to be having trouble today🙂

Technically you’re right🙂

Technically, a Tanto should have a tsuba….albeit often a very small one. The koshirae your blade is in is more correctly called an Aikuchi (although aikuchi blades are not normally this big).

What is silly to some is not silly to others. What is a redundant question is not redundant to the person asking it. Surely the point of a Forum is to help and educate everyone especially those trying to make a start in this hobby. What is a horrible blade is also quite probably someones first sword bought with great excitement. The reaction he gets here and how that reaction is delivered could either encourage him or break his spirit. Going forwards this hobby needs all the new blood it can get…..they are the ones who will buy our collections when we leave the planet. …and of course it’s not compulsory to read or reply to topics that are below your pay grade. We all started somewhere.

Alex, I’m not so sure. In the same way as Japanese pass their knowledge and skills on why not these Chinese craftsmen? I see such similarities between this Tanto and those that emerged way back…..even the dragon mounts. Most people on this forum would simply not believe their eyes had they encountered those earlier pieces. Some I know changed hands for well over £15k. They fooled two of the worlds top Meiji dealers. In a way I hope it is the same studio ……such genius skills deserve to survive. I still wish I’d bought (and kept) the amazing Tachi.

That is very interesting. About 25 years ago some stunning but fake Japanese swords….tachi and Tanto mostly…hit the Meiji Art scene in the UK. I mean stunning….as good as Japanese metalwork. You would have to have seen one to believe. The rumour was they were made in China by Japanese craftsmen. The blades were excellent. I was offered one, a Tachi with similar dragon fittings to this Tanto, solid silver and proper mixed metals. Staggering quality. I was offered it out of the boot of a brand new Bentley at a major UK Exhibition. I was told it was new but more were available. Back then it was £5k which was really tempting and extreme.y cheap but I didn’t want to get involved. I knew a couple of London dealers had bought some. A few went through the rooms and then they just dried up. I wonder if this is the same outfit? You would have believed it was the best Meiji workmanship. Can these miniatures be bought now?

Very big on function, very low on aesthetic appeal. Brutal not beautiful. ….imo.

Once upon a time this thread was about a tsuba….but became a pantomime. Boring and a pity.

I am sorry to hear that Jacques and wish you a full and speedy recovery.