Tanto, Japan, circa 1820–1850 General view

Tanto (knife) and sheath in steel, silver, copper, wood, and gold. The blade is straight and a wide fuller runs along almost its entire length. There are reinforcement plates of gold and silver on the heel. There is a small counterguard, which is more of a rimmed ferrule, which is perforated and allows the Menuki to be passed through. The handle (Menuki-Ana with Nagako) is engraved and lacquered. On each side, there is an appliqué in gilded copper with a fly. The tsuba is small. The sheath has a Kogatana (which has an inscription). It is made from lacquered wood with some engraved leaves, as seen on the handle. On the sides, there are embossed carved steel appliqués, which include depictions of a snail, a slug, and a snake. The decoration of the kashira, fuchi, tsuba, kogatana, the strap-holder, and the snap is made up of golden vine leaves and bunches of grapes on a black background.