A tanto | Edo period, 19th century

Property from an American Collection

A tanto

Edo period, 19^th century 

Sugata [configuration]: Hirazukuri, iori-mune, mu-zori

Kitae [forging pattern]: Flowing itame-hada

Hamon [tempering pattern]: Suguha with slight notare towards the kissaki

Boshi [tip]: Sharp kaeri

Nakago [tang]: Ha-agari kurijiri, one mekugi-ana

Habaki [collar]: Silvered

Koshirae [mount]: the ribbed black lacquer saya [scabbard] with iron kojiri depicting dragonflies in gold, the kozuka with aoi mon [leaves of wild ginger crest] on a nanako ground, the gilt menuki of tigers, 42 cm., 16½ in. long

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 24.6 cm., 9¾ in. 

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 2.6 cm., 1 in.