Dagger featured in "Yamato" film

[Kolekt-To]

I recently watched the 2005 Japanese movie "Yamato", a Kamikaze film, that concerns the final (suicide) mission of the battleship Yamato in April 1945, and I'm curious about the identity of the dagger featured in the film. The dagger is introduced by the character of Petty Officer Mamoru Uchida. Supposedly he was gifted this dagger by Admiral Yamamoto. In the dagger introduction scene, Uchida is seen cleaning this dagger (applying Uchiko powder) and speaking about the significance of the dagger while conversing with a fellow officer. The dagger is also featured in scenes near the end of the movie, such as where the film's main character of Katsumi Kamio is forced to accept the dagger from Uchida as the Yamato is sinking - Uchida hands Kamio the dagger while he and another wounded officer push Kamio off the deck and, ultimately, to safety. And, the dagger appears again (in a modern day / 2005 scene), this time taken from it's rack in the fishing boat by Kamio and presented to the female lead character (the adopted daughter of Uchida) during the ceremony to honor the dead - the dagger is presented in it's cloth bag and Uchida's daughter unwraps the cloth and takes hold of the Tsuka (she does not completely unsheath the dagger, and only a small part of the tsuka and dagger is visible, unfortunately). If you have seen the film (I enjoyed it, and apparently it was a very popular film in Japan back in 2005-2006), I would appreciate help in identifying the dagger shown in the film. Educated guesses are appreciated! From what is shown of the dagger, it does not appear to be a typical naval dirk. Perhaps it's meant to be an ancestral Tanto? I've attached some photos (mostly screen shots) to assist in identification of the dagger.

 

Thanks,

 

Geoff

 

P.S. There's a scene featuring a Type 97 where, during the final battle, an officer uses the Kai Gunto to commit suicide (falls on his sword) on the deck of the sinking ship. I didn't need any help identifying that edged weapon - it was clearly shown.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Most likely based on one of the dirks Admiral Yamamoto commissioned: https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5047262

[Kolekt-To]

Thanks John! I wasn't aware that "Yamamoto daggers" were a thing. Very cool!

[Curran]

Shigemasa. Perhaps my personal favorite WW2 smith.

   I regret selling my tanto by him, but the former owner really wanted it back. When he left the hobby, I suspect it went to Europe.

 

I think there are at least 10 of these Yamamoto daggers.  [AH, edit... reading Christies... at least 20 of them. Not like I would rely upon Christies too much]

Hard to believe the Christie's price. That is about 5x to 6x the price of a full polish Shigemasa on the market.

[Kolekt-To]

5 hours ago, Curran said:

Shigemasa. Perhaps my personal favorite WW2 smith.

   I regret selling my tanto by him, but the former owner really wanted it back. When he left the hobby, I suspect it went to Europe.

 

I think there are at least 10 of these Yamamoto daggers.  [AH, edit... reading Christies... at least 20 of them. Not like I would rely upon Christies too much]

Hard to believe the Christie's price. That is about 5x to 6x the price of a full polish Shigemasa on the market.

Check out this article from March 2021:

https://www.looper.com/368668/the-admiral-yamamoto-tanto-from-pawn-stars-is-worth-more-than-you-think/

[Curran]

5 hours ago, Kolekt-To said:

Check out this article from March 2021:

https://www.looper.com/368668/the-admiral-yamamoto-tanto-from-pawn-stars-is-worth-more-than-you-think/

 

I think I would sooner trust the government...

   Yet Christies supposedly found someone to pony up the money.

 

Interesting either way. Shigemasa was a good smith.

[raynor]

On 7/10/2021 at 11:39 PM, Kolekt-To said:

 

 

I'm sorry, but the size of his head versus his hands in that shot has me in stitches. I need the weekend..