MAXBLISS888 Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 I have just found this small tanto to share ... Quote
Brian Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 At best, it is a souvenir type oil quenched blade. At worst...a modern fake. Sorry (please sign all posts with at least a first name) but if you caught a few recent posts, I mentioned avoiding anything tanto size with a shinogi line and yokote. I am not entirely sure what this is. There are Japanese swords with a mei on the blade itself...but I am not convinced this is one of them. Handle off and a pic of the tang would settle this for sure. Sorry, but it does break most of the rules when looking at a Japanese sword. No habaki either. Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Posted September 19, 2015 Thanks BrianThe below are the description from the sellerSmall tanto from the 19th century, 5.8 inch cutting edge in fine polish, the signature is above the ridge line, very nice blade in beautifuly crafted aikuchi koshiraekoshirae has a samurai poem on it, under the poem is the name of the man who wrote the poem, called Koutoku. The blade has the signature of Kiku Ichimonji, living and working at the end of 19th century.there is a nice link(http://www.kikuichimonji.co.jp/h.html) here about him, at the end of samurai era and carrying swords and he made commercial items, cooking knives and tools, but as you can see he made nice tanto also, so this is a rare example with a nice history and well documented.The Japanese man who translated it found it difficult as old type of writing style and poem, but it is something like : life is like a cherry tree, it blooms beautifuly and falls when it end. Also see http://www.kikuichimonji.com/Regards,Francis Quote
Brian Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 Francis, No. The Kiku Ichimonji engraved on the blade here is a homage/dedication to the Koto school of Ichimonji smiths, and points this one more firmly towards the shrine curio/souvenir status of this item. It is not a signature. Probably 20th century and I think oil quenched without hand forging. The poem on it would be even more in line with this attribution. This has nothing to do with the modern knife makers calling themselves Kikuichimonji and is closer in manufacture and style to a kogatana than a working sword. Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 If you want to prevent losing money I would not buy this.It is not a real tanto nor a nihonto. It is a tourist piece and a bad one at that. KM Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Posted September 19, 2015 Thanks for your comments Saw another piece with nice shield Quote
paulb Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 Francis Before spending your hard earned cash and then regretting it please stop for a while, as a first step look at some of the dealers listed here and study what they have for sale and how it is described. That at least will give you guidance as to what is genuine and what may not be. I think the vast majority start the way you are at present allowing enthusiasm to take over and rushing in after anything that looks as though it might be special/ a bargain or too good to be true. Many, including me would suggest buying books before buying swords, but if your interest is more casual and you dont want to follow that route at least look at sites of the many reputable dealers around so you can make a slightly more informed opinion about what you are considering buying. 1 Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Posted September 19, 2015 Are these made for tourist during the early days? Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Posted September 19, 2015 Thanks Pual for your kind advice. Will go check at the dealers listing... Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 Paul is absolutely correct. You seem to be focusing on tanto - here's a link that you will find some lovely tanto and Aoi usually has a wide range of prices to suit most budgets. http://www.aoijapan.com/japanesesword/tanto Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Posted September 19, 2015 Thanks Joe, I am from Singapore but is currently working in Bangkok. There are strict laws in Singapore with regards to Importation of swords and I was told that any sword longer then 30 cm would require the application of permit from the police department. I am worried that even if I can get a permit, they would require making the sword blunt in order to bring it in. I have applied for a permit but I have yet to receive any reply, which is why I am looking for short tanto... Quote
Stephen Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 Hello and welcome, do they have outside markets for antiques? Flea Market? Id learn what is real then maybe do some leg work, a find in a market is very rewarding. Quote
Jean Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 Francis, Follow Joe advice. Buy one from Aoi Art if you are encline to buy something. We can help you in your choice. What is your budget? You must be aware that some people collect blades, other koshirae. If you want to have both, it will cost some money. Quote
Brian Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 If I may.... Out of the 2 extra ones you just posted..I think both are made for the Meiji tourist/export market. But both have a better chance of having a real blade. The quality of it would need to be examined though. The last one you posted (while I don't like the mounts too much) has a chance of having a fair blade. The horimono doesn't look too good though, so try and get a pic of it out of the mounts...just the plain blade. 1 Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Posted September 19, 2015 Dear Jean and all Thanks for the guidance. My budget is around US$2500-3000 and I am hoping to find one nice Tanto with history and nice koshirae. From Aoi Art, there are many makers and prices varies... not sure how to choose.. Quote
Brian Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 Make sure you read these posts: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5605-nihonto-to-singapore http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5405-another-find-in-indonesia-shinto-wakizashi http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5325-help-moving-to-singapore Take your time, and a member will offer you something decent, or point out some good deals. Quote
mfarrar Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 If you can live without the koshirae then I would suggest bidding on this: http://www.aoijapan.com/tanto-mumei-unsigned-attributed-as-oishisa If you want a good blade in polish then really it should be in shirasaya anyway. Otherwise you would have to get someone to either clean the inside of the old saya or have a new one made for it. 1 Quote
Jean Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 This is the best one, make your bid 2 minutes before it ends with your maximum amount. Don't forget to register first. This tanto is worth more than your 3000$ But who knows? You could win and if you win it will be jackpot. Quote
Pete Klein Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 I'm beginning to believe that Jean is the consignor... just sayin... (ROFLMAO)! Quote
peterd Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 Very nice. I have always wanted a nice tanto. Unfortunately spent money on latest Tsuba I always wanted it in koshirae but would not get much for 3000,much better to buy separate. Start with a nice blade theres much more to see in that than you might think Peter D 1 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted September 19, 2015 Report Posted September 19, 2015 not sure how to choose Francis, this immediately tells us that you aren't ready to spend a single penny on a blade. Please take a few of your dollars & buy a copy of Yumoto's "The Samurai Sword: A Handbook" which is all of US$7.49 on Amazon (http://amazon.com/Samurai-Sword-Handbook-John-Yumoto/dp/B000Q9RADK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442702507&sr=8-2) & Bott's "The Sword of Japan" $14.40 (http://amazon.com/Sword-Japan-Joseph-Bott/dp/1304242404/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442702603&sr=8-1&keywords=bott+sword). Once you've had a few months to study, & to understand at least the basics of what to look for, you will get a lot more for your money. Please don't be in a mad rush! Ken 1 Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 20, 2015 Author Report Posted September 20, 2015 Make sure you read these posts: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5605-nihonto-to-singapore http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5405-another-find-in-indonesia-shinto-wakizashi http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5325-help-moving-to-singapore Take your time, and a member will offer you something decent, or point out some good deals. Dear Brian Thanks for the information. It's good to know as I can now open my my option to more then Tanto.. Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 20, 2015 Author Report Posted September 20, 2015 This is the best one, make your bid 2 minutes before it ends with your maximum amount. Don't forget to register first. This tanto is worth more than your 3000$ But who knows? You could win and if you win it will be jackpot. Dear Jean Thanks for pointing the direction.. Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 20, 2015 Author Report Posted September 20, 2015 Francis, this immediately tells us that you aren't ready to spend a single penny on a blade. Please take a few of your dollars & buy a copy of Yumoto's "The Samurai Sword: A Handbook" which is all of US$7.49 on Amazon (http://amazon.com/Samurai-Sword-Handbook-John-Yumoto/dp/B000Q9RADK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442702507&sr=8-2) & Bott's "The Sword of Japan" $14.40 (http://amazon.com/Sword-Japan-Joseph-Bott/dp/1304242404/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442702603&sr=8-1&keywords=bott+sword). Once you've had a few months to study, & to understand at least the basics of what to look for, you will get a lot more for your money. Please don't be in a mad rush! Ken Dear Ken Thanks ! Will get the book to study. I searched through the web and they are many nice web sites selling antique swords!!! Quote
Jean Posted September 20, 2015 Report Posted September 20, 2015 Pete, Should I have it, I'll never put it on consignment sales. LOL Concerning the ratio quality/price, that is the best tanto I have seen for more than ten years. But wait for the final bid.... Edit to add: 2600$ final bid. A gift...... Quote
Ed Posted September 20, 2015 Report Posted September 20, 2015 Final Bid: 311,000Y or $2593. Damn fine deal. Had I seen it in time, I may have bid myself. Hope Francis won it, great starter piece. Quote
Jean Posted September 20, 2015 Report Posted September 20, 2015 Even for a seasonned collector, Ed Quote
Ed Posted September 20, 2015 Report Posted September 20, 2015 I agree. I quite liked it, the hada was beautiful. Quote
MAXBLISS888 Posted September 22, 2015 Author Report Posted September 22, 2015 Hi...,I was too late... More photos of my tourist knife which has a blade of only 15 cm cutting edge, but it's very heavy and very sharp.. Quote
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