Tanto "Kanekado"

[katonk66]

Hello all. I purchased this rather nice tanto from Japan. That being said, the Mei is "Kanekado". As far as the signature being real, who knows. As a sceptic, I tend to think their gimei until proven otherwise. 

 

I know these pics give only a limited point of view, but any guesses on how old the blade MAY be? IF the Mei is real, I found Koto, Edo period and modern swordsmiths with this name. I know very little about tantos, other than the basics. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Henry

[Shugyosha]

Hi Henry, 

Congratulations on your new blade. There’s a smith signing with a two character mei mid-1500s. See here:

 

https://www.nihontoclub.com/smiths/KAN1086

 

For me it is certainly a koto blade as it’s quite slender with little if any machi left due to having had a few polishes and is maybe machi okuri too. The patina on the tang is quite a deep colour too which points towards a koto blade but you can see a band of lighter patina before the habaki hence me saying machi okuri. 
 

Whilst you can never say 100%, I suspect that the signature is genuine as this isn’t a big name smith and so not likely to be of interest to forgers. I hope you enjoy it! 

[DTM72]

John summed it up pretty well. The fittings all appear to be newer, but assembled nicely. Nice little tanto. Enjoy!

[Kanenaga]

Hi Henry,

 

The tanto is likely sue-Mino 16th century, the mounts younger of course but very "shibui." I particularly like the sageo. Overall a very handsome package!

 

Consider bringing it to the next meeting of the NCJSC?  Feb. 17 @ 12:30 at Japantown in SF.

 

Les