Early Japanese Navy Dirk

Axis Powers > Japanese > Edged Weapons >

This is a very reasonably priced example with traces of lacquer remaining to the brass. The blade on this one has some age towards the habaki I have not tried to clean. The fit is tight and the tip is perfectly pointed! The blade rates Exc+/Exc++. The blade measures approx 8 1/4 inches long,(measured from the habaki). The black saya (scabbard) is wood based and covered in lacquered leather that has been joined at the reverse. The saya has two brass based scalloped fittings. They show wonderful detail with several leaves and cherry blossoms throughout and look at the white lacquer! You rarely see this anymore. The top clip works well! The brass based guilded crossguard looks good and is marked with 2 marks under the crossguard. The 1st being a manufacturer marking and the other a Naval inspection mark. The ferrule and pommel cap are also brass based. They are nicely detailed with random pebbling a cherry blossom and leaves. The grip is tightly triple brass wire wrapped, over a white pebbled ray skin and seamed to the reverse. All the wires are intact. I love the beautiful finish to this.