Antique Japanese Kaiken (futokoro-gatana) — unsigned (mumei), mid-Edo period — a rare tanto of under 16 cm — ubu, in shirasaya with a copper habaki

An unusually small ubu, unsigned mid-Edo kaiken · itame with fine ji-nie · a clear, ko-nie suguha · a rarely-seen sub-16 cm size, trim and beautifully refined

An antique kaiken (futokoro-gatana, a small dagger carried in the breast of the kimono) of the uncommon size of under 16 cm — a rare survivor of which few examples remain. Judged to be a work of the mid-Edo period, it is small yet very trim and shapely, carrying the dignity of a blade made for personal protection or for ceremonial wear in its day.

Workmanship and condition

The blade is in polished condition, though a little faint rust remains from an old polish (ko-togi). Even so, the ground and edge throughout are exceptionally sound, allowing the healthy quality of the steel and the flavor of age to be fully enjoyed. The jigane is an itame-hada with fine ji-nie, retaining the beauty of the forging and the antique color of the steel. The hamon is a clear suguha of ko-nie-deki, with delicate activity along the temper boundary — for all its small size, a blade of crisp dignity and sharpness.

Form

An extremely compact blade of under 16 cm. Antique kaiken of this size rarely appear on the market, giving the piece a high rarity value. Small though it is, the balance of mihaba and kasane is good, and it boasts a very elegant, refined form.

The mounting

The kaiken comes in a plain wood shirasaya (resting scabbard), the traditional way to protect and conceal such a blade, together with a simple copper habaki of period character.

A rare mid-Edo, ubu, unsigned kaiken of the seldom-seen "under 16 cm" size. Although a little thin rust from an old polish remains, the ground and edge are exceptionally sound — a precious little piece that combines historical value with genuine charm.

Specifications

• Type: Kaiken / futokoro-gatana (small tanto, hira-zukuri)
• Signature (mei): unsigned (mumei), ubu (un-shortened) tang
• Certification: none
• Period: Mid-Edo period (attributed)
• Jigane: itame with fine ji-nie; antique steel color
• Hamon: clear suguha of ko-nie-deki, with delicate activity
• Blade length (nagasa): 15.8 cm / 6.22 in (about 5 sun 2 bu)
• Curvature (sori): 0.1 cm
• Width at base (motohaba): 21.3 mm
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 6.2 mm
• Weight (blade only): 90 g
• Condition: polished; slight faint rust remaining from an old polish; ji and ha very sound
• Mounting: shirasaya (plain wood resting scabbard) with a simple copper habaki
• Torokushō (Japanese registration) No.: Saitama 84092