Japanese Ivory Saya, with Tanto blade from the Edo period.

Tanto blade is hira-zukuri (new photos will be posted shortly when blade has been polished). Possibly nanbokucho 1334-1389. Shows great activity. Hamon is sugaha which changes to notare near the point. Ji hada is itame mixed with mokume and konuka. Activity of kinsuji, togari, utsuri can be seen.

The tang shows no mekugi ana and based on the dark brown patina looks to have been adapted to fit the ivory Saya a few hundred years ago. This may have been adapted, as it was considered a tanto of great importance and given as a present to either a very important person, or a shinto shrine.

If you just think of how long it must have taken to put such wonderfull details into the Saya and then match it with a fantastic blade. No matter how many times you look at it something new seems to pop up. Great softness to the look and feel of the blade, Something that somebody took a long time over. Great attention to detail.

Length 24cm.
Out of polish. Excellent workmanship.