Japanese Kwaiken?

not2sharp · 16th January 2013, 08:56 PM

I am familiar with the officer's navy dirks which look very different. Would this have been an Army officer's dirk?

n2s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't believe this is a kwaiken - Japanese ladies sleeve tanto. I think it is a WW II officer's dirk; unfortunately in rather poor condition.

Rich S
-------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stein, PhD

Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

"Never go anywhere without a knife"
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs
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Rich · 16th January 2013, 09:49 PM

Yes, most likely an army officer's dirk. See my website for examples:

Japanese Sword Guide
http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

Go to the Japanese military dirks page.

Rich

trenchwarfare · 17th January 2013, 01:12 AM

This type knife is referred to as an "Aikuchi" which is a dagger without a guard. Kwaiken is styled differently, and intended to be carried by women. These are often called "Kamikazi daggers", and are of the style carried by them. Your example is of better quality than most, and may be worthy of a polish. WWII era, or before. The leather cover denotes combat carry. As there was no regulation dagger for army officers, many of these were carried. Lots of these were given to departing soldiers by their mothers, grandmothers, etc. With a whispering in the ear of "Return victorious, or not at all" Nice piece.

not2sharp · 17th January 2013, 04:14 AM

Here are some additional photos of the OP knife.

n2s

trenchwarfare · 17th January 2013, 06:25 PM

Ooh, didn't see the pitting in the first photo. No, not a polish candidate. Looks like it bathed in something caustic, and was cleaned up. Still, it is an interesting, and historic piece.

not2sharp · 17th January 2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

Ooh, didn't see the pitting in the first photo. No, not a polish candidate. Looks like it bathed in something caustic, and was cleaned up. Still, it is an interesting, and historic piece.

Most likely it was exposed to the warm, humid and salty air in South Florida for too long.

n2s

estcrh · 19th January 2013, 07:06 AM

Fyi, there is not a lot of information available about kwaiken, Wikipedia has an article with all the basic information and references.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiken_(dagger)

A kwaiken is just a small blade in a basic mount with very little or no fittings.

17th January 2013, 04:14 AM	#4
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	Here are some additional photos of the OP knife. n2s Attached Images

19th January 2013, 07:06 AM	#7
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	Fyi, there is not a lot of information available about kwaiken, Wikipedia has an article with all the basic information and references. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiken_(dagger) A kwaiken is just a small blade in a basic mount with very little or no fittings. Attached Images

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16th January 2013, 09:49 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Yes, most likely an army officer's dirk. See my website for examples: Japanese Sword Guide http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm Go to the Japanese military dirks page. Rich

17th January 2013, 01:12 AM	#3
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	This type knife is referred to as an "Aikuchi" which is a dagger without a guard. Kwaiken is styled differently, and intended to be carried by women. These are often called "Kamikazi daggers", and are of the style carried by them. Your example is of better quality than most, and may be worthy of a polish. WWII era, or before. The leather cover denotes combat carry. As there was no regulation dagger for army officers, many of these were carried. Lots of these were given to departing soldiers by their mothers, grandmothers, etc. With a whispering in the ear of "Return victorious, or not at all" Nice piece.

17th January 2013, 06:25 PM	#5
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Ooh, didn't see the pitting in the first photo. No, not a polish candidate. Looks like it bathed in something caustic, and was cleaned up. Still, it is an interesting, and historic piece.