[Dave W.]

I realize that this site is predominantly dedicated to Western historical arms (as am I), but I was wondering if the extensive knowledge I have so far witnessed could help with a similar identity crisis.

I recently purchased a Japanese dagger while I was on vacation in MA. I bought it at a shop that specialized in Asian antiques and collectibles. The lady who sold it to me did not know much about it, but she thinks that it was most likely brought to the states after World War 2. She said that after the war, many of the Japanese sold their excessive possesions due to the economic crisis that was taking place. Her thought was that the dagger had been bought by an American soldier and brought back.

Regardless of how it made it here, I was very intrigued by the dagger, because it has a straight, double-edged blade. I thought that all of the daggers from Japan were made in the traditional tanto (curved, single-edged) style. The dagger is about a foot long and has a highly ornamented, locking scabard. I was wondering if anyone knew more about this style of dagger or anything else regarding it.

Many thanks,

Dave

[Jean Thibodeau]

Looks more Chinese than Japanese to me ( not an expert ) or if Japanese at least inspired by Chinese design ?

Could be a cut down Chinese sword as the dagger looks like it might have been reshaped ? ( Just speculation ).

[Kjell Magnusson]

Well, there are double edged, symmetrical blades from Japan (often called Ken). I have to agree though that this one looks rather Chinese instead of Japanese, much due to the guard.

For comparison: http://www.chinesearms.com/chinesearms/001/ji...uzhang.htm
http://www.chinesearms.com/armorbreaker/armorbreaker.htm

[Sa'ar Nudel]

Recently made Chinese, turist-market piece, sorry. We have tons of those (and alike) over here.

[Dave W.]

Thank you for the info. I can definetly see the resemblence to the chinese swords. I'm going to look in to it further. The dagger was by no means very expensive. I bought it merely because I liked the look of it.

Thanks again,

Dave

[Lafayette C Curtis]

The hilt certainly doesn't look like the Japanese version of the ken ( http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/unji.htm ) ....