Exceptional Boy’s Day Tanto

A Fine Boy’s Day Tanto:

Celebrated in varies Asian Countries, Boy’s Day is an important holiday.

This traditional celebration of sons retains the trappings of its warrior-class roots, with swords, helmets, and other symbols of samurai culture ensuring that children grow up healthy and strong. Also known as tango no sekku, it is one of five seasonal holidays observed since ancient times. (www.nippon.com)

The giving of swords, armor and other talismans, to the sons in the Samurai Class was considered good luck.  Many of these pieces are of extremely fine quality.  Boy’s Day Swords are considered nihonto; traditionally made, sometimes showing excellent quality. This tanto is one such piece.  It is perhaps the finest Boy’s Day nihonto that I have studied.

This tanto looks to have been made in the Shin Shinto Period (1840 ca.).  The forging and jigane are excellent.  The gunome-midare hamon has many hataraki; fine workings, showing excellent skill.  It is made in shobu-zukuri form.

What really sets this tanto apart is the fine koshirae.  This tanto must have been made for a highly ranking Samurai family.

The koshirae is outfitted with richly patinated silver, and silver foil hardware.  The solid silver bands in the tsuka are in the form of crysanthamum. The habaki is silver foil and is nicely made.  The seppa are shakudo.   The tsuba is exceptional; finely engraved with a tiger, hiding amidst bamboo thicket.  The tsuka is hardwood layered with horn.  The saya is a unique shape and is covered in beautiful mottled three tone lacquer.  One of the layers is probably gold leaf.

This amazing Boy’s Day Tanto is completed by its original silk storage bag and is housed in a conservative kiri wood storage box.

This is a perfect presentation piece for the rich executive who wants a non threatening nihonto desk display.  It would also be cherished by many serious nihonto collectors.

This is a consignment item, with a 3- Day inspection Period.

Nagasa: 13 cm.

Motohaba: 1.5 cm.