Need Help Identifying This Tantō

Timo Nieminen · 5th February 2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dana_w

This is the second of the two Tantō Daggers that I am trying to learn about. I've been told that it was for use by Kamikaze pilots in WWII.

The overall length is 9 inches. The blade measures 5 1/4 inches from the tip to the guard.

I've not seen any genuine military dirks or tanto like this, just plenty of Chinese fakes. Officer and kamikaze dirks in my experience tend to have either plain wood grip and scabbard, or lacquered, or leather covered.

Atlantia · 5th February 2013, 12:14 PM

These are problematic at best.
I was examining a similar 'dirk' a few weeks ago and whilst beautifully made with a striking hamon, the overall feel didn't seem right for a wartime piece.
It also had the complete shark/ray skin cover, but I remember that the joins on the skin seemed slightly 'ragged' and ugly. I actually disassembled it and the tang seemed artificially aged.

I would be interested to see your piece taken apart if you don't mind?

The definately genuine examples are in my limited experience mounted in plain wood, or even more rarely leather covered. (sometimes in a linen or leather cover/bag).
The one's I've seen also have 'flush' collars and not the tapering ones that your's has.

So, as a background on these, they certainly DO exist, although for obvious reasons they are rather rare.
The 'Kamikaze' (Divine wind/God Wind) pilots were allowed to carry a small Aikuchi dagger to allow him to slit his jugular vein in the seconds before impact.
Clearly the practicality of being able to do this while under heavy fire from the ships and wresting with the controls to stay 'on target' is debatable at best and it's unlikely that many pilots managed to say a prayer and slit their own throats and still hit the target.

However, that hasn't lessened the 'legend' of the Kamikaze and the demand from collectors for their 'dirks'.

As with all 'suicide bombers' the psychological effect, fear and damage to morale that they engender in those on the recieving end cannot be underestimated.
Bearing that in mind it's easy to understand why the 'Kamikaze dirk' has always been a desirable and sought after item.

After the war, when Japan was occupied and awash with American servicemen looking for souvenirs, I've often wondered if some of these 'more elaborate' Aikuchi were produced as 'letter openers'

and sold to servicemen with a 'wink and a nudge' (or whatever the Japanese equivilent is).
That's just a thought, I have no evidence to back it up as I've never really attempted to look into it.

One thing is for sure. There are a lot of similar fakes that have come from China and continue to do so.

So! Is it a Kamikaze dirk?
I'd say not.
Could it be small non-military Aikuchi? You'll need to take pictures of it in pieces and wait for those who collect such things.
Or is it a later 'post war' souvenir?

Rich · 5th February 2013, 12:22 PM

Sorry, but it is not a kamikaze tanto, just an aikuchi (guardless) tanto. For more info on Japanese military tanto see my page at:

http://japaneseswordindex.com/dirks.htm

Possibly a kwaikan (ladies sleeve tanto) based on size and simple same' covering. Not ruling out a late tourist knife or even Chinese fake however.
It needs to be seen up close and personal to tell.

Rich S

-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD

Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

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

dana_w · 5th February 2013, 06:30 PM

Thanks everyone!

Here are three more photographs. If you can you give me any tips on removing the pin, I will photograph the tang.

The photos are copyright (c) 2012 by Dana K. Williams, All Rights Are Reserved

Atlantia · 5th February 2013, 07:02 PM

Did it come from the UK?
The peg should just push out from the narrow side (I assume the side not standing slightly proud). I suggest using a matchstick and be careful.

dana_w · 5th February 2013, 07:52 PM

No, it didn't come from the UK. My Dad picked it up at a gun show in North Florida eight or nine years ago.

The fit of the peg / pin is too tight to just push out. I may be able to tap on it with a punch.

laEspadaAncha · 5th February 2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dana_w

No, it didn't come from the UK. My Dad picked it up at a gun show in North Florida eight or nine years ago.

The fit of the peg / pin is too tight to just push out. I may be able to tap on it with a punch.

FWIW, I use the skinny end of a chopstick as an awl/punch and a rubber or (better yet) a wooden mallet to tap it out.

5th February 2013, 12:14 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	These are problematic at best. I was examining a similar 'dirk' a few weeks ago and whilst beautifully made with a striking hamon, the overall feel didn't seem right for a wartime piece. It also had the complete shark/ray skin cover, but I remember that the joins on the skin seemed slightly 'ragged' and ugly. I actually disassembled it and the tang seemed artificially aged. I would be interested to see your piece taken apart if you don't mind? The definately genuine examples are in my limited experience mounted in plain wood, or even more rarely leather covered. (sometimes in a linen or leather cover/bag). The one's I've seen also have 'flush' collars and not the tapering ones that your's has. So, as a background on these, they certainly DO exist, although for obvious reasons they are rather rare. The 'Kamikaze' (Divine wind/God Wind) pilots were allowed to carry a small Aikuchi dagger to allow him to slit his jugular vein in the seconds before impact. Clearly the practicality of being able to do this while under heavy fire from the ships and wresting with the controls to stay 'on target' is debatable at best and it's unlikely that many pilots managed to say a prayer and slit their own throats and still hit the target. However, that hasn't lessened the 'legend' of the Kamikaze and the demand from collectors for their 'dirks'. As with all 'suicide bombers' the psychological effect, fear and damage to morale that they engender in those on the recieving end cannot be underestimated. Bearing that in mind it's easy to understand why the 'Kamikaze dirk' has always been a desirable and sought after item. After the war, when Japan was occupied and awash with American servicemen looking for souvenirs, I've often wondered if some of these 'more elaborate' Aikuchi were produced as 'letter openers' and sold to servicemen with a 'wink and a nudge' (or whatever the Japanese equivilent is). That's just a thought, I have no evidence to back it up as I've never really attempted to look into it. One thing is for sure. There are a lot of similar fakes that have come from China and continue to do so. So! Is it a Kamikaze dirk? I'd say not. Could it be small non-military Aikuchi? You'll need to take pictures of it in pieces and wait for those who collect such things. Or is it a later 'post war' souvenir? Last edited by Atlantia; 5th February 2013 at 02:24 PM. Reason: correcting spelling typos

5th February 2013, 12:22 PM	#3
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Sorry, but it is not a kamikaze tanto, just an aikuchi (guardless) tanto. For more info on Japanese military tanto see my page at: http://japaneseswordindex.com/dirks.htm Possibly a kwaikan (ladies sleeve tanto) based on size and simple same' covering. Not ruling out a late tourist knife or even Chinese fake however. It needs to be seen up close and personal to tell. Rich S ------------------------------------------------------- Richard Stein, PhD Japanese Sword Guide http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm "Never go anywhere without a knife" - Leroy Jethro Gibbs ------------------------------------------------------- Last edited by Rich; 5th February 2013 at 12:50 PM. Reason: add info

5th February 2013, 06:30 PM	#4
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 436	Thanks everyone! Here are three more photographs. If you can you give me any tips on removing the pin, I will photograph the tang. The photos are copyright (c) 2012 by Dana K. Williams, All Rights Are Reserved Attached Images

5th February 2013, 07:02 PM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Did it come from the UK? The peg should just push out from the narrow side (I assume the side not standing slightly proud). I suggest using a matchstick and be careful.

5th February 2013, 07:52 PM	#6
dana_w Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Southeast Florida, USA Posts: 436	No, it didn't come from the UK. My Dad picked it up at a gun show in North Florida eight or nine years ago. The fit of the peg / pin is too tight to just push out. I may be able to tap on it with a punch.