JAPANESE NETSUKI KNIFE

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT. MOST NETSUKI ARE JUST A TOGGLE TO ATTACH A CONTAINER TO THE BELT. SOME ARE IVORY, WOOD, BONE , ECT.
THIS ONE HAS A SMALL KNIFE HIDDEN IN IT WHICH IS UNUSUAL, ITS IVORY AND VERY WELL CARVED. NETSUKI ARE POPULAR COLLECTIBLES AND SOME ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE.

This would be considered to be a shikomi netsuke which roughly means deceptive netsuke, it could be called shikomi tanto with tanto meaning dagger, very interesting piece. These types of hidden Japanese weapons were worn in places were ordinary weapons would not be allowed, or by people who were not suppused to carry a weapon. After the end of the samurai era when the wearing of swords was prohibited shikomi zue became popular, these were walking sticks with a sword blade hidden inside, many common items were made with a hidden blades inside including pipe cases and fans.