【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Important notes – Swords】 ・Please note that obtaining the necessary export permit for sword typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks, so kindly be aware of this timeline in advance. ・The following countries prohibit sword imports, so please refrain from bidding. (AUSTRIA, BELGIUM & the UNITED KINGDOM) ・The following countries can be shipped by airmail (GERMANY, FRANCE, POLAND & the UNITED STATES). All other destinations will be shipped by Japan Post seamail (lead time 3 to 4 months), as airlines refuse to carry swords. However, if you require faster delivery, air shipping may be possible through a different carrier for an additional fee, so please contact us. 【Product details】 This is an Edo period Tanto (aikuchi dagger), officially recorded as such in its Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate. Although aikuchi are normally mounted without a guard, this example has a small octagonal iron guard which was likely fitted at some point in its history. The guard has raised dote-mimi rims and copper sekigane inserts. The iron fuchi and kashira are decorated with spiral motifs in brass inlay, a design symbolising continuity and protective energy. The scabbard is finished in glossy black lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay, and the piece comes with a cloth storage bag. Inside the bag is an inscription reading “Toyama-shi Tarōmaru …sei” (surname partly illegible), suggesting that a past owner lived in the Tarōmaru district of Toyama City. The Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate, issued in Hyōgo Prefecture, records the piece as an aikuchi with a blade length of 27.8 cm, a curvature of 0.2 cm, two mekugi-ana, and no signature. The registration number is 32924 and the document was issued on 15 June 1961 (Shōwa 36). A copy of this certificate will be provided, as the original will be returned to the authorities. There are natural signs of age and use. The tsuba is loose and moves slightly. The blade shows areas of rust, with a few minute nicks on the cutting edge, and the very tip is slightly crushed, although extremely small. The guard has rust and wear, and the fuchi and kashira also display rust. The copper habaki has small scratches and the fittings show discolouration. The handle shows one split to the ray skin. The scabbard cord has fraying and has partly come undone. The scabbard itself shows scuffs and minor losses to the inlay. Please check the photos for details of the condition. Total length of the blade: 37.5 cm Total length including scabbard: 50 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!