Yoroidoshi Tanto, Or Something Else?

[6pakki]

Dear all,

 

Friend of mine who wishes to remain incognito, has got a present from his wife that puzzles us all.

It was found in UK auction house with a description:

 

A Japanese ARMOUR PIERCING DAGGER (YOROIDOSHI TANTO) with robust blade, tang signed 'Sanbun...' 'Munechika' and pierced with a single mekugi-ana, black lacquered grip, in its matching scabbard decorated with two gilt mon on one side and a single mon on the other 16.2 cm; 6 3/8 in blade

 

Curious as I am, I would like if someone of you could look at the pictures and shed more light to this lovely blade.

(I have a feeling that this was not originally a tanto but a yari or naginata of some sort...)

 

I thank you in advance and I am sorry for the quality of the pictures.

 

Sincerely yours,

Juha

 

[Gilles]

That is quite a funny coincidence. I already saw such a blade not a long time ago. In may I was in Japan and I went to Kuraya Hashimoto shop in Kyoto. He had such a blade for sale which was also mounted in tanto fittings. He told me it was a yari and that the nakago was cut down..... I never saw such a blade before......

[PNSSHOGUN]

My immediate thought was a shortened Yari, nice little gift.

[Grey Doffin]

The mei is, I believe, Sanjo Munechika.  Best guess is that this was made no earlier than Meiji and most likely for the western market at that time and later.

Grey

[Brian]

Like it a lot. Very attractive. Doesn't it say Sanjo rather than Sanbun?
Likely gimei

[Ray Singer]

Another example here.

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/7089-anyone-know-what-these-blade-forms-are-called/?fromsearch=1

[Ian]

And another

http://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords/KT119771.htm

[Jean]

Makes me think of a Satsuma aged kikuchi yari.

[Ray Singer]

Another...

[Peter Bleed]

These are around but not common. There is one in the collections of the field Museum,

Peter

[Hoshi]

Very interesting design, thank you for sharing. Makes a lot of a sense as a side-arm to use a triangular cross-sections dirk.

 

Is it repurposed from another weapon (yari) or is it originally designed as a tanto? Looks like the latter to me but I really wouldn't know. 

[Japan2112]

Kuraya Hashimoto shop in Kyoto opposite Nijo castle is a wonderful place to experience swords. Regarding the tanto, it gives me a feeling of a yomeiri tanto, possibly a re purposed yari. The mei. adds to the auspicious nature of the gift.  Meiji era , and a thoughtful  gift indeed.. Sharp and delicate.

[Ray Singer]

As I mentioned to Juha, my belief is that these tanto are in their fully original sugata and are not repurposed yari. I have examined three in hand and all appeared to be ubu. Now with the additional examples in this thread, I have seen seven and every one has a near identical sugata. I believe this is simply a rare tsukuri-komi.

[Jean]

Agreed with Ray, hamon on both sides

[Greg F]

I believe them to be Tanto, nice and sharp looking.

 

Greg

[6pakki]

Thank you all for your comments and opinions. It has, as always been very educational.I shall copy all these to my friend.

 

Juha

[Ray Singer]

Look familiar? Published today by Fred Weissberg.

 

http://www.nihonto.com/a-fan-for-all-seasons/

 

http://www.nihonto.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/tanto-fan2.jpg