Japanese Meiji Period C 1880’s- 1910 Concealed Fan Tanto Dagger With Cord & Associated Period Sepia Post Card Photograph Of Western Tourists In Japanese Costumes Posing In Village Rickshaw Scene Attended By A Japanese Servant By Photographer Schida. Sn Dagger

Japanese Meiji Period C 1880’s- 1910 Concealed Fan Tanto Dagger With Cord & Associated Period Sepia Post Card Photograph Of Western Tourists In Japanese Costumes Posing In Village Rickshaw Scene Attended By A Japanese Servant By Photographer Schida. - 21966:5

This is an original Japanese tanto / dagger disguised as a fan made in the Meiji Period C 1880’s- 1910. The dagger is of the type favoured by Western Tourists visiting Japan to take home as souvenirs or gifts. The dagger’s single edged steel blade has a cutting edge of 6 ¼” and has a copper habaki collar at the hilt. The blade has just small areas of age related staining and is sharp. These blades are usually unsigned but we cannot strip the dagger down to check. The lacquered wood hilt and scabbard come together to form the outside appearance of a folded fan. The tanto in its scabbard measures 12” length. The dark lacquered wood raised edges of the hilt and scabbard have the appearance of a fan frame. The front and back edges are cleverly ribbed with fine lines & painted with lacquer having the appearance of the folded leaves of a fan. The hilt is holed and ringed & fitted with cord. Attached to the cord and found with the dagger is a clean and undamaged original period Sepia Post Card Photograph Of Western Tourists In Japanese Costumes posing in a Village Rickshaw Scene Attended By A Japanese Servant. One of the westerners in the images most likely bought this fan dagger whilst on holiday in Japan. These types of staged photograph were popular with Victorian & Edwardian tourists in the early days of tourism photography. One edge of the post card has the photographers name and Kobe Japan address highlighted in gilt alongside Japanese kanji characters which can be seen in the images. The price for this interesting piece includes UK delivery. Sn 21966:5 (tanto box armoury)

£475.00