Komainu Tanto (狛犬) – Guardian Lion-Dog

Komainu (狛犬): the guardian lion-dog

Komainu are the lion-dog statues that guard the entrances to Shintō shrines and Japanese temples. Always found in pairs (one with its mouth open, the other closed) they ward off malevolent spirits and protect sacred spaces. They are also known as shishi.

This tanto places such a guardian at the end of its handle: a shishi head sculpted in relief on the kashira. The dragons of the tsuba and scabbard complete a mounting conceived entirely under the sign of protection.

A T10 steel blade with a true gunome midare hamon

The blade is crafted from T10 steel, a high-carbon steel prized for its hardness. Clay-tempered, it reveals a true gunome midare hamon, rendered in sharp contrast against the mirror-polished steel.

Its geometry follows the shinogi-zukuri style with a compact ko-kissaki tip, and features a bo-hi ni soe-hi: a principal fuller accompanied by a second, finer groove that runs alongside it. The blade is hand-sharpened, a level of artisanal finish that makes all the difference.

A mounting of dragons and shishi

The round (maru-gata) tsuba in gilded patinated copper is generously pierced (sukashi) with swirling clouds through which raised dragons (takabori) move, set against a darkened patinated ground with a rounded rim (maru-mimi). A gilded brass seppa accompanies it.

The gilded copper fuchi is chiselled with arabesques and clouds, while the kashira bears a shishi head in relief. The handle combines wood with a faux black rayskin, beneath a black tsuka-ito wrapping in hineri-maki, with gilded menuki. The ichimai gilded brass habaki is decorated on both faces with a rising sun, waves and seagulls in flight.

A black scabbard with raised dragons

The saya is crafted from solid wood, covered in a textured matte black leather-effect finish, with raised dragons and scrolling motifs running its entire length. The black-lacquered koiguchi carries a raised decorative pattern, and the rounded kojiri (maru) extends the dragon motif to the very tip. A black and gold braided sageo cord is tied around the scabbard.

Dimensions and handling of the tanto

With a blade of 33 cm and an overall length of 55 cm, the Komainu is a tanto of generous proportions. Its 17 cm handle sits firmly in one hand. At 0.8 kg, it carries a satisfying presence. It measures 57 cm in its scabbard, a format that displays its raised work to full effect on an exhibition stand.