Tanto question

[Franco]

Hi,
Which is correct Kaiken or Kwai-ken.Described as carried by women in an obi.
What is an obi?
Cheers

[rbminis]

An obi is a sash.
Ralph.

[Franco]

Thanks.One down,one to go.

[GHP]

Hi,
Which is correct Kaiken or Kwai-ken.Described as carried by women in an obi.
What is an obi?
Cheers

The correct pronunciation is kaiken.
懐剣 [かいけん] kaiken

"Kai" mean breast/bosom. The dagger is kept in a woman's obi and is close to the breast, ergo the name.




In these photos the kaiken is in a brocade bag between the obi and kimono as word by brides.

This link tanken-jutsu shows images from movies when a woman pulls her dagger.




The kaiken was used for both self-defense and 自害 "jigai" ... suicide by cutting one's own throat.

Wiki-Kaiken

Here's a photo of General Nogi's wife's kaiken, together with his sword -- they both committe suicide after Emperor Meiji died. Next time I'm in Tokyo I'll take a photo -- I stay right near Nogizaki (Nogi-Slope) where his shrine/museum is.



Kwaiken was an early 20th century transliteration (probably because the 'ka' part was a bit extended and sounded like "kwa" to the foreign listener).

I've seen "kwa~" used for Kwanon (kuan-yin) when transliterating "Kanon" [Kanzeon - "Goddess" of Mercy] from Japanese.


--Guy

[Franco]

A comprehensive reply Guy.That blade of the wife is huge l have two with tiny blades

[Bob Coleman]

Kaiken are not encountered frequently. We have one that the great modern swordsmith Ozawa Masatoshi made for my wife as a wedding present. It certainly is a family treasure.

[GHP]

A comprehensive reply Guy.That blade of the wife is huge l have two with tiny blades

Are you looking at the sword, or the kaiken blade at the base of the sword stand? Hers was the smaller of the two.


--Guy

[GHP]

Kaiken are not encountered frequently. We have one that the great modern swordsmith Ozawa Masatoshi made for my wife as a wedding present. It certainly is a family treasure.

Now THAT is a treasure, Bob! Photo, please??

--Guy

[oldhonda]

A Japanese knife, given to a woman with feminine fittings, like pink color and hello kitty deco, it's called kaikan. If a guy got it when the woman didn't need it anymore, and refit it with macho fittings. Whola, it became a tanto.

[GHP]

A Japanese knife, given to a woman with feminine fittings, like pink color and hello kitty deco, it's called kaikan. If a guy got it when the woman didn't need it anymore, and refit it with macho fittings. Whola, it became a tanto.

"hello kitty deco"

Thanks for the laugh -- I've a big cheese-eating grin on my face right now imagining that.





OMG!!! It's true, it's true!!




--Guy