Ko-Tantō with 9.125” Blade and Edo Period Koshirae (SW2005)

Blade: A slender ko-tantō with a nagasa of 9.125”, straight form (hira-zukuri sugata) with no shinogi ridge. The blade is ubu (unaltered) with two mekugi-ana, and a silver-plated habaki accompanies it. The surface is bright in polish, though somewhat cloudy in places, with a visible straight suguha hamon that is subdued but present along the ha. A few light scratches and areas of surface oxidation are evident, though the edge remains sharp and well defined.  Nakago: Ubu with patina appropriate to age, two mekugi-ana, unsigned (mumei).  Koshirae (Mounts): The tantō is mounted in fine Edo-period fittings: • Saya: Ribbed lacquer saya in brown with black lacquer sections. The saya includes a kozuka pocket, fitted with a shakudō kozuka decorated with birds among reeds, accented with gilt details and a gilt upper section resembling dripping gold. • Kozuka: Shakudō ground with fine nanako-style texture, decorated with flying birds in takazōgan with gilt highlights, capped in gilt with a motif resembling molten gold. Blade (kogatana) present. • Tsuba: Small iron tsuba of irregular mokkō-gata form, with simple carved outlines and scattered gold nunome inlay, showing age patina. • Fuchi/Kashira: Dark mounts decorated with gilt floral inlay, with matching gilt kashira cap carved in chrysanthemum motif. • Menuki: Gilt floral ornaments (chrysanthemum) inset into the tsuka.  Condition: The blade is bright and healthy, though with a somewhat hazy hamon. Mounts are complete and matching, showing expected wear and lacquer loss, but retain their aesthetic appeal. The kozuka and its detailed workmanship add considerable interest.  Remarks: This is an attractive example of a ko-tantō in full Edo-period mounts, notable for its elegant koshirae and inclusion of a decorated kozuka. Its compact size, at just over 9”, makes it a classic samurai sidearm.