Tanto Help Needed

[Allan H.]

This one is WAY out of my wheelhouse, but I recently happened upon a tanto blade in a resting case and am hoping to be able to get some expert opinions on it. I’ll post a lot of photos and see if they may be sufficient for a decent evaluation. Thanks in advance. 
Allan

[Mr. Bushido]

Hi.

I think your wakizashi is very tasteful.

 

The engraved kanji character is ”兼涌（Kanewaku）”.
This word has another meaning besides the name of the creator.
In Japanese, the pronunciation of ”Kane” indicates money, and the pronunciation of ”Waku” indicates that it springs up.
Combining these together means that "money will appear", which means auspicious.

 

You may feel that the shape of the letters I show and the letters imprinted are different.

However, in some cases, the kanji can be simplified and written like this.

 

I don't have much knowledge about swords, but I hope you find it helpful.

[Allan H.]

Thank you very much Mr. Bushido! I appreciate your response. I'm sorry that I evidently mis-identified the blade as a tanto rather than as a wakizashi. 

 

Would you have any guesses as to when the blade was made?

 

Allan

[Mr. Bushido]

Hi.

 

I don't know the length of the sword, so my name may be wrong.

I think there is a high possibility that it is a "wakizashi" or a "koshigatana".

 

By the way, as for the manufacturing age of the sword, unfortunately I cannot identify it.
This is because it is said that there are several types and ages of Kanewaku.

I think it needs to be appraised by a more knowledgeable collector.

[Andrea D]

Hello !

I resume the conversation, I am very interested in ancient Japanese weapons. Evaluating the proportions and  the size of the nagasa (cutting edge) I would say with certainty that it is a Tanto max 30 cm blade. Classification of japanese blade are : until 30 cm tanto, up 30 to 60 wakizashi and other katana. This is the basis for the evaluation, the details will be further explained.

Personally I have a wakizashi signed Kanewaku, koto era, about 1540. Nagasa 52 cm/ 20,47 inch.  I am posting a photo