Tiger & Bamboo - Muromachi Period (~1450)

Description

Tiger & Bamboo is a rare 15th-century tanto with profound spiritual and artistic significance. The blade dates to around 1450, forged during the Muromachi period by a well-regarded smith. It features horimono carvings on both sides—Buddhist inscriptions representing *vitality, longevity, and spirituality*—which is highly unusual and deeply meaningful. The fittings are themed around tigers and bamboo. The fuchi-kashira and menuki are copper-based, with delicate detail work. The bamboo imagery is done *on top of polished copper* rather than engraved and inlaid, offering a unique visual style. The saya (scabbard) is not original to the tanto. It was inherited from the owner's father and paired with the blade after a falling out and the father's passing—making this sword not only a weapon, but a tribute and symbol of *remembrance and forgiveness*. The kozuka (small utility knife) is signed, masterfully engraved, and features portraits of the Six Immortal Poets along with verses of classical poetry—another rare feature that adds historical and aesthetic value.