Japanese Dagger (Tant?), 1900. With Hand Carved Bone Hilt and Scabbard.

Antique Japanese dagger made in 1900. This is a weapon known as tant?, with a katana-like shape but considerably smaller in size. This dagger is a double-edged piece and is 33 centimeters long. Both the hilt (tsuka) and the scabbard are made of bone, with a lot of engraved traditional motives delicately performed by hand. The tant? is a short weapon that samurais used to carry together with the wakizasi (short katana) and the kodachi. Its small size let the user hide it under the obi (the kimonos belt) and it is best known as the weapon used in hara-kiri ritual suicide, in the new era of samurai culture. It is also used in some martial arts. The tant? differs from other Japanese daggers (amidashi and aikuchi) in the presence of the guard.This slim and decorative piece is in very good condition in spite of its ancient age. The blade has no bumps or signs or rust and the grip and the scabbard are well preserved but for a slight flaw, present in one of the scabbards joints. Furthermore, the delicate bone is in good condition and boasts the wonderful decoration that embellishes it. The whole surface is hand-engraved by a skillful artist, who depicted a series of characters dressed in traditional Japanese clothes that are performing different activities in a classical oriental background.The high accuracy and perfection the motives have been performed with is strongly attention-grabbing. From the characters facial expressions to the shadows and the clothes folding, the work has been performed with a highly deep engraving technique that creates attractive games of light and shadow in the bones surface. The hilt and the scabbard show two independent sceneries, with different backgrounds and characters. The scabbard has a small projecting piece with a hole in it, designed to pass a cord or strap to hang the weapon from the kimono.This ancient dagger is an amazing piece, full of historical and traditional relevance and with a mysterious and fascinating past.Measurements: Length: 330 mm.