Antique Japanese Yoroidōshi (armor-piercing tanto), unsigned (mumei) — mid-Edo period — an exceptionally thick (over 1.1 cm) ubu blade — in a vermilion inrō-kizami period koshirae with the "crossed hawk feathers" crest

Ubu, unsigned mid-Edo yoroidōshi with a massive kasane exceeding 1.1 cm · packed itame with ji-nie · a clear, nie-deki suguha · dressed in a high-toned vermilion inrō-kizami mounting bearing the Maru ni Chigai Taka-no-ha crest, with a maple-maki-e kozuka

An ubu (original-length), unsigned (mumei) yoroidōshi (armor-piercing dagger) of the mid-Edo period, built with the overwhelming thickness and solidity of a kasane exceeding 1.1 cm. Freshly polished, with a solid, substantial feel in both width and thickness, and accompanied by an elaborate vermilion-lacquer inrō-kizami period mounting, it carries the beauty and dignity of the martial arts into the present day.

Workmanship and condition

Freshly polished, the blade shows almost no faults — essentially flawless, with a ground and edge that are both exceptionally sound. The jigane is a packed itame-hada with fine ji-nie, displaying the beauty of finely honed steel. The hamon is a clear suguha of delicate nie-deki — a plain, robust, and sturdy finish that conveys the sharpness and high practicality distinctive of a yoroidōshi. The tang (nakago) is ubu and unaltered, unsigned.

What is a yoroidōshi?

In the age when samurai fought clad in armor, the yoroidōshi was the blade used to deliver the finishing blow in close-quarter combat. To thrust swiftly through the gaps in an opponent's armor, it has a short blade length, a narrow width, and a heavy, notably thick kasane, giving it a cross-section close to a triangle — a form built entirely for penetrating power.

Form

With a kasane exceeding 1.1 cm, this is an extraordinarily thick blade. Though of tanto length, the sense of weight and impact when taken in hand is in a class of its own, letting one fully feel the strength of the practical dagger on which a samurai relied as his last resort on the field of battle.

The koshirae

The dagger comes with a well-preserved vermilion-lacquer (shu-nuri) inrō-kizami scabbard of deep, rich color. The fuchi-kashira and hilt are set with the Maru ni Chigai Taka-no-ha ("crossed hawk feathers within a circle") family crest, with elaborate raised menuki. Since ancient times the hawk has been a symbol of valor, strength, and nobility, and was much favored by the samurai; hawk feathers were also prized as material for arrow fletching, and so were adopted into family crests as emblems of enduring martial fortune and the pride of a warrior house. A kozuka decorated with maple leaves in maki-e is also included, making the mounting as a whole a most dignified and high-toned ensemble.

A sound, freshly polished yoroidōshi tanto boasting the rare, massive thickness of a kasane over 1.1 cm, together with a high-grade vermilion inrō-kizami koshirae bearing the crossed-hawk-feather crest — a supreme piece that conveys the fighting spirit of the warrior house.

Specifications

• Type: Tanto — yoroidōshi (armor-piercing dagger)
• Signature (mei): unsigned (mumei), ubu (un-shortened) tang
• Certification: none
• Period: Mid-Edo period (attributed)
• Jigane: packed itame with fine ji-nie; finely honed steel
• Hamon: clear suguha of fine nie-deki
• Blade length (nagasa): 23.6 cm / 9.30 in (7 sun 8 bu)
• Curvature (sori): none (mu-sori)
• Width at base (motohaba): 23.2 mm
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 11.5 mm (exceptionally thick, over 1.1 cm)
• Weight (blade only): 240 g
• Weight (without scabbard): 380 g
• Condition: freshly polished, essentially flawless; ji and ha very sound
• Mounting: vermilion (shu-nuri) inrō-kizami koshirae with the Maru ni Chigai Taka-no-ha crest on fuchi-kashira, raised menuki, and a maple-maki-e kozuka
• Torokushō (Japanese registration) No.: Tokyo 60135