need help thanks

[dilligaf12]

I found this in my dads collection and he had a note identifying it as a rare tosu, forged steel blade with hamon, wooden sheath symbol of rank men and women.

I have had no luck identifying it though any help would be great thank you

[Marius]

This is not a tosu, but a letter opener. Sorry.

[dilligaf12]

Thanks do'nt be sorry it's a nice letter opener

[Marius]

At least a Japanese letter opener :-)

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Kyoto-ha ... 70942.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... Opener.jpg

 

Tosu knives are extremely rare and as far as I know, very very rare (found only in shrines). I have seen once a photograph of a tosu reproduction - they were carried in a special saya accommodating several of them. I vaguely recall Toshiro Mifune carrying such a set in the Kurosawa's classic "Hidden Fortress". He played general Makabe Rokurota was disguised as a peasant (I think that was in the scene where he and his companions are carrying bundles of firewood and get inspected by some samurai).

[kusunokimasahige]

This site has a gendai warabite Tosu for sale :

 

http://www.kanshoan.com/english/swords/n2_warabite.html

[Marius]

This is a very loose interpretation of a tosu. Still, looks nice :-)