Unryu-zu Tanto

[Dick Tait]

Pleased to present pictures of my new Tanto which arrived this morning!

 

 

It's Koshirae is carved wood, in the form of a Unryu-zu (雲竜図) "Cloud Dragon".

 

The blade is Shinogi-zukuri and has gunome hamon towards the kissaki and sugu hamon towards the nakago.

 

It has Ihori Mune and O-kissaki. The Hada & Boshi are not clear. It could do with a polish.

 

The Habaki is a golden colour (probably brass) and it has a red tassle with a red & gold cord. It is Mumei.

 

Nagasa = 20.7cms

Nakago = 6.6cms

Mihaba = 2.2cms

Sori = 0.0cms

Kissaki = 2.8cms

Kasane = 0.5cms

 

Thanks for looking!

[Brian]

Dick,

I think there may be a distinct lack of replies here, and I hope you have a thick skin on this one.

I really don't see much there to say good things about I'm afraid.

It appears to be very late Meiji tourist piece to me. The tassel just being ornamental. The shape just isn't convincing. Shinogi zukuri tanto not looking deliberate or graceful? The hamon is also very regular, and does it drop off at any point? Looks like it comes close.

Sorry to be blunt, and I hope others will tell me I am wrong. But this one just doesn't come together as anything with much age or skill to me.

 

Brian

[Dick Tait]

What? You mean it's worth.....just about how much I paid for it!!! :lol:

 

Never really expected the blade to be anything that special tbh, but I like the carving.

 

The blade is something I can practice my "cleaning technique" before my katana comes back from the polishers.

 

Do you think there may have been an original blade which was replaced?

[RobertM]

Hi Dick,

 

Do you mind if i enquire as to which polisher you are using? Not to many of them in our part of the world.

 

thanks

 

Rob M