Surprising tanto purchase?

[shakudo]

Hello all. Just received a Japanese purchase and was really surprised. I purchased a small tanto @14.9cm- please look at pics and think on what has happened!

Its mei is eithe Ichiju or Ichitoshi- thoughts? Ana is punched and mei is on omote??? Thoughts? Also yasurime is horizontal one side and 30 degrees other. Nice dark colour on nakago and I can see ware in blade. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Finally a big thank you to all who reply and especially Admin ie Brian- cheers mate!

[Bugyotsuji]

Maybe nothing to do with the price of fish, but a blade of 15 cm or over would need registering with the Japanese local education authorities. Often the length of a blade will be shortened in order to fall just inside legal. 14.9 cm is a slightly suspicious indicator of this.

[Brian]

Mike, thanks for the kind words.
Afraid my comments on the blade won't be as good though. The shape is awkward, which means something is off. Shape of the tang is not elegant and not perfectly flowing.
The blade doesn't gel with the hi cut. And has too much sori. Either that groove was cut later, or the blade was retempered and bent even more. Like Piers said, you would need to check if it has boshi and if it is sai-ha.
I don't think it's fake..but maybe a homage/souvenir type tanto.
 

[shakudo]

Hi Piers, agreed. Had no idea it would be over the 15cm but still mailed out?

Hi Brian, hope your well and recovering.

Yes I agree with all your comments- prbably a silly purchase but as I had a nice small koshirae I thought a blade would be better than a tsunagi and as it was less than 15cm no drama- would have fitted nicely but hey- is what it is. I was thinking shinshinto. Would love some direction on mei if anyone can direct me. Thank you both for you replies- great forum and great people. Cheers

[Bugyotsuji]

Consider 一寿 a reading of Kazutoshi　

 

Different person and field but there is one here: http://www.katana-hattori.com/kozuka/fuji03.html

[Fuuten]

Sorry for derailing this thread but to be honest I'm far more curious as to what attributes or different characteristic attracted you to this piece. Care to expand?