Japanese Tanto, Edo Period, Complete

This Japanese tanto dates from the beginning of the Edo period, for the blade (17th century) and from the end of the Edo period for the mount (19th century), since as always in Japan, we find old blades mounted with more recent mounts.
BLADE = Hira Zukuri shape (flat), Nagasa 27 cm, Moto Haba (width at the machis) 27 mm, Moto kasane 5 mm, Hamon/Yakiba = Gunome Midare (irregularly wavy), Saki ha (tempered at the point) Midare Komi (= irregular) with strong return. Ji hada (grain of the steel) Masame Itame. Nakago (silk) yasuri mei in katte sagari (orientation of the file marks) 2 mekugi ana (mounting holes) including one partially obstructed by copper
The photos do not do justice to this blade, Japanese blades being difficult to photograph… We note a small opening of the grain 10 cm from the tip, omote face, as well as some small oxidation points which could probably disappear with polishing
The blade is perfectly readable, in a very satisfactory state of polishing and it is logical to leave it like this, although a complete traditional polishing is obviously possible (but expensive).
The tempering is everywhere present, Nie and Nioï are perfectly visible.
HABAKI: in red copper, it is a double habaki, which usually corresponds to a good quality blade.
TSUBA: decoration of a mist dragon
HANDLE / TSUKA: covered with ray skin, black menuki braiding representing shells, Fuchi in iron and kashira in black horn.
SCABBARD: in natural wood with Koi Guchi (entrance) in black horn On the Omote face, decoration of a dancing character, perhaps Hotei, and a Shishi (Fô dog)
KOZUKA representing General KWAN YU, on horseback, holding his beard in his right hand and a Chinese halberd in his left. This Chinese general of the 2nd century is frequently represented in Japanese art, he represents the divinity of war. The blade of the kozuka is old, very oxidized and shows remains of a probably apocryphal signature.

In summary, it is a pleasant tanto because of its blade with a very clear wavy temper, in a very acceptable condition, and the natural wood scabbard with character inlays is an originality. The quality-price ratio is reasonable
. Ref B-01XX
Shipping costs France 20€, Europe 30€