Japanese knife or tanto translation help

[helmetbuyers]

Hello folks

any idea how old this thing is and what it says?

Thanks for the help Robert

[helmetbuyers]

2

[helmetbuyers]

3

[helmetbuyers]

sorry... these are the only photos I have.

[Budo45]

Not sure but i think the kanji are upside down, hard to tell from the photos

[juoneen]

This to me doe nOT appear to be Military, or old . This looks like something used for preparing food, or utilitarian use. The carved handle and scabbard are nicely done, bit may not be japanese, although it has a japanese style . Its nice art wise, but I wouldn't attach any great value to it even if it were japanese . But it is still cool in its own way. What is the seller preporting it to be , and how crazy is his price?Might be from some micronesian island somewhere .

[Bob Coleman]

Not a true Nihonto. The shape is totally off from that of any known tanto. It appears to be a Meiji period knife made for export to the West.

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

The engraving quality on the blade seems too rude....personally I would leave it.

[gunto]

It looks more like a tool.

[Nick Komiya]

Need better photos of the inscription to be sure, but it looks like a post-war gift item.

[helmetbuyers]

Thanks guys for the help.

you are awesome and saved me a lot of grief if I bought this thing. Robert