TOOLS FOR THE POETIC SAMURAI

TOOLS FOR THE POETIC SAMURAI
10.21.17 admin@nihonto

This item is just soooo darn cute.  Because the blade is so small, I would hesitate to call it a tantô with a writing set.  I think a more appropriate description would be a writing set disguised as a tantô.  When worn in the obi, it looks like an odd shaped tantô, yet it is really nothing more than a writing set with  brush, hidden inkwell, and small paper knife.   It definitely deserves a place in my collection of mezurashii mono (unusual items).  This piece dates to the late 1800’s.