Japanese Imperial Naval officers dirk

This is an example of the Japanese Imperial Naval Officer’s Dagger, as authorized in 1883 (Meiji 16). Although adopted some 59 years before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, these daggers remained in use through the end of World War II. The Japanese military in the modern era required their officer’s to purchase their own uniforms, equipment and personal weapons, just as nearly every major military force in the world did. As such, even though standardized regulations were in place for every conceivable item an officer might need, variations did exist – especially within the realm of edged weapons like swords and dirks. This is a Japanese Russo war, WWl Naval tanto dagger in kaigun tanken mountings

Many of these naval tanto were made by machines but there were exceptions where some officers used their traditional tanto blade and custom made into the design of the naval Dirk. As you can see, I have taken one small step from the mini sword to a small Tanto.

The old blade is signed "Shigeyoshi 重良", hira-zukuri shape made during the 室町時代Muromachi period ca.1550 era. The blade is in old polish and the temper line is chusuguba with konie active temper throughout the blade and deep temper. Brass fittings are cherry flower motif engraved brass fittings with locking mechanism. It measures 9+1/2" cutting edge and 15+1/2" in mountings.  As such, this is a Samurai Tanto remodeled into naval Dirk. Not many of these naval Dirk survived as many were at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. As a former history student, these historical items are important for us to remind human race not to make the same mistakes.