76_liberty Posted April 14, 2022 Report Posted April 14, 2022 I recently purchased this tanto, but I don't know anything about it. I thought it may have been made during WWII, but I was told it could be much older. Does anyone know about how old this tanto is, what part of Japan it was made in, and what it would've been designed for? Quote
76_liberty Posted April 14, 2022 Author Report Posted April 14, 2022 Here's a pic of the other side of the nakago. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted April 14, 2022 Report Posted April 14, 2022 These were made in large numbers and are generally quite crudely manufactured. They are not traditional in construction, likely oil tempered modern steel. Quote
WulinRuilong Posted April 14, 2022 Report Posted April 14, 2022 This looks like a WW2 Kamikaze Pilot Tanto. Quote
Brian Posted April 14, 2022 Report Posted April 14, 2022 1 hour ago, WulinRuilong said: This looks like a WW2 Kamikaze Pilot Tanto. It isn't. As mentioned, wartime or post war souvenir or utility soldier's piece. Moderate value, a few hundred and not traditionally made. Quote
WulinRuilong Posted April 14, 2022 Report Posted April 14, 2022 1 hour ago, Brian said: It isn't. As mentioned, wartime or post war souvenir or utility soldier's piece. Moderate value, a few hundred and not traditionally made. Original WWII Japanese Kamikaze Pilot's Tanto Dagger Sword | #458783057 (worthpoint.com) 日本陸海軍特攻用短刀・白鞘入り短刀【丹後守兼道】在銘・刃長:14.9cmの合法サイズで登録証不要(検索:軍刀昭和刀神風特攻隊-日本代購代Bid第一推介「Funbid」 they look exactly the same Quote
Brian Posted April 14, 2022 Report Posted April 14, 2022 Yeah, and that description on both sales are complete nonsense. Second one is typical shrine souvenir....mass produced, gimei and oil quenched. We have discussed these at length on the forum. Just search Kamikaze. 99% of those sold as such, weren't. In fact, I doubt any official "Kamikaze dirk" existed. They carried regular swords most times, when they even carried an edged weapon. Those that are known to be correct, look like regular refined and decent tanto. Not these crude pieces with horrible nakago. 2 1 Quote
76_liberty Posted April 15, 2022 Author Report Posted April 15, 2022 Thank you all very much for your help with identifying this. Sincerely, Chad Quote
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