Japanese short sword
Sword - 13" wooden sheath 11.5" wrapped handle with small figures under wrap on both sides. locust or insect carving in 3 dimension on lower part of sheath
Uncle was in wwll
Inherited
Maybe
Dear Dave,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The presented object appears to be a Japanese Edo period Tanto dagger with the length of 13". The Tanto dagger was together with the long sword Katana and the short sword Wakizashi the symbol and emblem of honor for the Japanese Samurai caste. This Tanto is decorated with decors of the forest and the trees. The scabbard has a surface that reminds the structure of bark and is decorated with a cicada. This is an elaborate example of the sense of Japanese art and crafts.
This piece is in good condition and there is no serious damage visible in the images provided.
A fair market estimation would be between 500 to 1.000 USD.
This estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary.
With kind regards,
Georg
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