Kaiken Dagger Translation Help Please

[AndyUSMC]

I recently acquired this from the estate of a WW2 veteran.

I scoured the lists of kanji and the closest I could come on a translation was Kaneuji Saku. I might be way off, but I did try.

There are also three kanji that are etched into the blade. They were cut in deep v groove.

The blade does have temper lines. They are hard to see, but each looks like a mountain with twin peaks. See the photo of this below in which I pointed to them with red arrows. If I need to post more photos or measurements please let me know?

Any help will be appreciated on this. Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

[AndyUSMC]

[Brian]

Key points here are the nakago shape, position of the mekugi ana, and the fittings.

[Fuuten]

Export souvenir or just Chinese?

[Stephen]

real deal

the nakago is fine, just not norm size,

[SteveM]

Your reading of Kaneuji-saku is correct, but it doesn't match any of the signatures of the wartime Kaneujis.

I'm afraid your blade has endured an amateur polish job which has, for now anyway, ruined the condition of the blade.  

The kanji on the blade itself are 大和魂 Yamato-damashii (spirit of Japan/Yamato). 

 

You can find other Kaneuji signatures here and compare. 

http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/index.htm

[Brian]

Real, yes Stephen. But the position of the ana and shape of the nakago indicates this is one of those wartime souvenir/shrine swords. Dedicated in this case to the spirit of Japan. Homage piece. I suspect it will be oil quenched.

[AndyUSMC]

Gents, Thank you for your help on this.

[ROKUJURO]

Andy,

it is an attractive TANTO even if it may not be old (it's not a dagger (= two cutting edges)). Keep it as a first step and buy some books to see the real deal TANTO.

 

[Stephen]

It is a real Tanto, you youngns haven't seen enough modified blades ...keep breathing.

[Brian]

I don't doubt it is a real tanto, just think that it is an oil quenched one that was made more as a homage piece than as a practical knife. Look at that horimono. Any smith going to cut kanji like that? Together with rough nakago, I think it was more of a "take to war as a patriotic symbol" rather than a fully traditionally made tanto. Could be wrong...but either way we aren't saying it is junk.

[Surfson]

There are other threads discussing a breed of tanto like this that was often carried by officers who were Kamikaze pilots or tank pilots and needed a very small sword for cramped quarters.  They can be mounted, but are very often in a shirasaya that is more dressed out than a typical shirasaya made for storage.  Some have a dark polished wood, for example.  They often have a horimono in the blade or habaki that has a pro-Japan or spiritual meaning such as the one on yours.  The saya on yours has horn or ivory finishes and is more dressed out than a typical storage saya, especially considering the era and quality of the blade.  I agree with the thought that this is a blade that was likely made during wartime in the 20th century, though it is possible that it is older.  There are collectors of such pieces and it is desirable.  Cheers, Bob