Japanese Kwaiken?

not2sharp · 16th January 2013, 05:44 PM

This small knife has been in my collection for some time. I would like when it was likely made and whether it is consistent with known Japanese knives.

n2s

Atlantia · 16th January 2013, 05:56 PM

"Welease the Kwaiken"

Rich · 16th January 2013, 07:46 PM

I don't believe this is a kwaiken - Japanese ladies sleeve tanto. I think it is a WW II officer's dirk; unfortunately in rather poor condition.

Rich S
-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD

Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

"Never go anywhere without a knife"
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs
-------------------------------------------------------

not2sharp · 16th January 2013, 08:22 PM

Rich,

Thanks for the input. I have found remarkably little information on these knives or any other antique Japanese knives online.

n2s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't believe this is a kwaiken - Japanese ladies sleeve tanto. I think it is a WW II officer's dirk; unfortunately in rather poor condition.

Rich S
-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD

Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

"Never go anywhere without a knife"
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs
-------------------------------------------------------

not2sharp · 16th January 2013, 08:56 PM

I am familiar with the officer's navy dirks which look very different. Would this have been an Army officer's dirk?

n2s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't believe this is a kwaiken - Japanese ladies sleeve tanto. I think it is a WW II officer's dirk; unfortunately in rather poor condition.

Rich S
-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD

Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

"Never go anywhere without a knife"
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs
-------------------------------------------------------

Rich · 16th January 2013, 09:49 PM

Yes, most likely an army officer's dirk. See my website for examples:

Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

Go to the Japanese military dirks page.

Rich

trenchwarfare · 17th January 2013, 01:12 AM

This type knife is referred to as an "Aikuchi" which is a dagger without a guard. Kwaiken is styled differently, and intended to be carried by women. These are often called "Kamikazi daggers", and are of the style carried by them. Your example is of better quality than most, and may be worthy of a polish. WWII era, or before. The leather cover denotes combat carry. As there was no regulation dagger for army officers, many of these were carried. Lots of these were given to departing soldiers by their mothers, grandmothers, etc. With a whispering in the ear of "Return victorious, or not at all" Nice piece.

16th January 2013, 05:44 PM	#1
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	Japanese Kwaiken? This small knife has been in my collection for some time. I would like when it was likely made and whether it is consistent with known Japanese knives. n2s Attached Images

16th January 2013, 05:56 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	"Welease the Kwaiken"

16th January 2013, 07:46 PM	#3
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	I don't believe this is a kwaiken - Japanese ladies sleeve tanto. I think it is a WW II officer's dirk; unfortunately in rather poor condition. Rich S ------------------------------------------------------- Richard Stein, PhD Japanese Sword Guide http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm "Never go anywhere without a knife" - Leroy Jethro Gibbs -------------------------------------------------------

16th January 2013, 09:49 PM	#6
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Yes, most likely an army officer's dirk. See my website for examples: Japanese Sword Guide http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm Go to the Japanese military dirks page. Rich

17th January 2013, 01:12 AM	#7
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	This type knife is referred to as an "Aikuchi" which is a dagger without a guard. Kwaiken is styled differently, and intended to be carried by women. These are often called "Kamikazi daggers", and are of the style carried by them. Your example is of better quality than most, and may be worthy of a polish. WWII era, or before. The leather cover denotes combat carry. As there was no regulation dagger for army officers, many of these were carried. Lots of these were given to departing soldiers by their mothers, grandmothers, etc. With a whispering in the ear of "Return victorious, or not at all" Nice piece.