Curious about this... shirasaya(?)

[Jesta]

I bought this tanto a while ago, and it came in this... well... is it a shirasaya?

It is made to look like a bean pod, and is beautifully crafted.

There is a loop on the end of the hilt that would suit a cord, and there apparently was a kurigata at some point (lost now, and filled with horrible wood filler that I will eventually clean out). 

Does anyone know anything about fittings like this?

 

The tanto is an armour piercing blade, probably dating to the 17th century, so I don't think that these fittings are original to the blade. 

[raaay]

 a quick guess,  it is a Bean pod !

[Geraint]

Dear Justyn.

 

I don't think this was ever intended to be shirasaya but rather an interesting and subtle koshirae.  Before you remove the filler, which I agree is horrid, you need to do some research to find out what it would have looked like so that you can replace it accurately, I realise that this post is part of that process.   ( I have a feeling that I have a reference to one like this somewhere, it will take me awhile but I will have a dig) As always, if in doubt, don't.  Find someone who can do it justice.

 

Look forward to seeing the result.

 

All the best,

 

[Jesta]

47 minutes ago, Geraint said:

I don't think this was ever intended to be shirasaya but rather an interesting and subtle koshirae. 

 

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. 

 

You could well be right that it isn't a shirasaya. The only issue I have with it is that the tsuka is not a comfortable hold, and the fit to the blade doesn't feel firm. I would not feel comfortable actually using the tanto in this koshirae. 

 

When it comes to the filler, I am not in a hurry. I will clean it out, but I lack the skills to make any replacement, so I shall probably just leave it as a testament to how it should have been... 

[Matsunoki]

Quite possibly a Meiji period “novelty” creation aimed at the gaijin of the day. However if it’s got a good blade in it then maybe not. 

 

[Bazza]

Oi loiks it very much and IMHO this is not only genuine and old but very unique and more than interesting with pleasing contours.  I would give it house room.  Looking forward to more research on this one.  I speculate that it might have bean the head gardener's defence...  Now Justyn, can we please see the blade??

 

BaZZa.

[Jesta]

48 minutes ago, Bazza said:

 Now Justyn, can we please see the blade??

 

BaZZa.

Here you go... I didn't post the blade because this part of the forum is all about the tosogu... 

Apologies for the poor photography, I haven't figured out how to photograph shiny blades in my current set up, which is mostly for tsuba. 

 

 

[MauroP]

Maybe a fragment of katana refurbished as a short blade to accomplish the tea ceremony dress code 

[Toryu2020]

It is indeed a bean pod - I would say this falls in the category of Bokuto (Doctors sword) as with all things Japanese they came in a variety of shapes and expressions. A nice example...

-tch