Odd Asian dagger

[tom hyle]

An unusual Asian dagger on ebay: #6525134949 Blade is of tanto-ish shape, seems flat, and is chisel-bevelled with a swept tip typical of tanto/aikuchi, not the "arc-segment" tip common on daito. There is no clip nor swedge to the tip, and the spine seems to be simply square. Integral (to the handle) guard with smaller ferule below forming a short shaft before the blade ala khoumiya, thi, also resembles the sheath tensioners on dagger-mounted mata tombaks, but that is not feruled, and this does not insert in the sheath. Ferule is a rough/crude iron forging, while the blade seems ground for flatness, and the handle with expanded pommel is nicely and extensively carved (and set with a coin?). Is it a chrysanthemum on the pommel? The sheath looks like SE Asian ones, has lost its bindings (glue?) and looks to have a broken scabbard-slide/tying block. Ainu/Yemishi? Japanese? Tibetan? The coin may be the key; I've seen it somewhere before.....

<I just wanted to add, since Tom did not specify, that this auction has ended. -- Mark>

<Link added http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=6525134949