Tanto (Japanese dagger – Shinto period 18th century)

Mounted in aikuchi (without tsuba guard) in a lacquered scabbard perfectly imitating the wood grain with deep carvings. On the handle of the scabbard is wrapped a centipede (centipede) in relief and copper alloy as well as a bee and a grasshopper. It bears a signature in a Shôzan cartouche. The blade, mumei, in hira zukuri has the decoration (horimono), deeply chiseled, of a 3-clawed dragon chasing the sacred pearl. The kozuka is in suaka and shakudo.

Shinto period 18th century. Total dimensions: 49 cm, blade 24 cm.