Unusual Tanto tsuka and saya

[FrankW]

Hi all,

 

I came across this unusual tanto saya 11.5" and tsuka 4.5". It's origin is Japan.

No blade is present but from examining the pair it would have had a square nakago with 1 mekugi-ana, the blade would have been about 10" long with a very unique geometry which suggests it was more of a dagger or perhaps a umabari than a tanto.

It appears to be quite old with the kurikata made of buffalo horn and the sayakuchi and kotsuka recess covered with buffalo horn.

Can anyone identify what this may be.

Regards,

Frank

[Justin]

Made for a Yari or Ken I suspect.

[Toryu2020]

Clearly for a yari-naoshi tanto,

A shame the is no blade...

-t

[FrankW]

can anyone post a photo of what the blade may have looked like and perhaps some info on the era these were used etc

[Geraint]

Hi Frank.

 

I will try to get some photos of mine for you later but for now; http://www.aoijapan.com/yari-toshiyoshi-not-guarantee

 

Your yari looks to have been three sided, san kaku. The tsuka is obviously for the square nakago and the saya is also designed to accommodate the kerakubi, the shape at the base of the blade. Most of the examples I have seen would be mid to late edo period, they were a way of using a favoured yari according to the scant information I have come across. There is a rather spiffy example here, http://www.juwelier-strebel.de/en/asien ... -yari.html

 

Hope this helps.

[FrankW]

Thank you for the information I will visit the sites recommended and look forward to seeing your pictures

[Brian]

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=yari+ ... r&tbm=isch

 

Brian

[FrankW]

Thanks Brian