bga Posted June 15 Report Share Posted June 15 Hello all, I recently came across a strange looking dagger in Palau, Micronesia. The dagger looks somewhat like a military tantō in certain aspects, but the overall design seems a little odd for a Japanese artifact. I was wondering if anyone had any leads as to what this dagger could be, and where it could possibily come from. Could it date back to pre-WW2 Japanese administration of the area (1914-1945), and be a mixture of local and Japanese knife making styles? Palau was also the scene of fierce fighting in WW2 (Peleliu), but I've never really seen anything like this. The blade was initally covered in a layer of rust which was roughly scraped away, revealling most of the blade. The end of the scabbard was reinforced by modern duct tape... I have no further context for the moment, unfortunately. Looking forward to your insights! Thanks Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugyotsuji Posted June 15 Report Share Posted June 15 Looks like a WWII Kozuka made out of what was available in the foxholes and caves of Palau. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonely panet Posted June 18 Report Share Posted June 18 this has nothing in common with anthing Japanese imho. just junk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted June 18 Report Share Posted June 18 Agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsunoki Posted June 18 Report Share Posted June 18 Looks far to thick/heavy to be a kozuka blade. Much more likely a modified Indian Peshkabz or Kard……or maybe just locally blacksmith made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bga Posted June 27 Author Report Share Posted June 27 Interesting - thanks for the input. It's definitely local though. Palau was under Japanese administration from 1914 to 1945, which is why i was wondering if there might be a connection. Interestingly enough, the blade / handle style looks nothing like locally made machette either. I'll try to get in touch with the Japanese guy who was keeping this, see where he found it. It could be something that was brought in from the outside, and reworked locally. Blade design is really odd, and the patterned string weaving on the handle is unusual as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsunoki Posted June 27 Report Share Posted June 27 2 hours ago, bga said: and the patterned string weaving on the handle is unusual as well. It does rather resemble (vaguely!) the style of Japanese wrapping called Jabara string wrap often found on quite nice items. I think that’s what it’s called. Quite complicated to do. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugyotsuji Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 What are the measurements of this knife? Could it have been for opening shellfish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROKUJURO Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 Two things are sure: It is not a dagger (these have two cutting edges) and it is not remotely Japanese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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