Ryūtō Tanto (龍闘) – Dragon Fight

Ryūtō (龍闘): the Dragon Fight

Two dragons in combat is an ancient motif in East Asian art. It embodies the clash of natural forces (water against sky) as well as the energy and rivalry that drive one to surpass oneself.

This tanto gives form to that confrontation on its tsuba, where two dragons face one another. The blade carries a third dragon, engraved in fine relief, while the saya, sculpted with flames, evokes the fire of their struggle.

A 1045 steel blade engraved with a dragon

The blade is crafted from 1045 steel, a robust and widely used high-carbon steel that is straightforward to maintain. It follows a shinogi-zukuri geometry with a chū-kissaki tip, and is cut with a bo-hi fuller.

Its satin-polished surface features, on one face, a dragon and characters engraved in fine line. No hamon is present, allowing the engraving to take full precedence.

A buke-zukuri mounting with confronted dragons

The round (maru-gata) tsuba in blackened alloy presents two confronted dragons in high relief (takabori), with openwork (sukashi) between their bodies, a polished ground and a rounded rim (maru-mimi). A gilt brass seppa accompanies it.

The fuchi and kashira in plain blackened alloy are deliberately understated. The handle pairs wood with a faux black ray skin, wrapped in brown tsuka-ito in hineri-maki style, with black menuki. The ichimai habaki in patinated copper-toned alloy carries file striations and a kamon-style medallion.

A black saya with sculpted flames

The saya is crafted from solid wood, coated in a brilliant black kawari-nuri lacquer and sculpted with flames that reveal a copper and orange underlayer. The rounded (maru) koiguchi and kojiri are lacquered black, with the kojiri echoing the sculpted motif. The black-lacquered kurikata with gilt shitodome accepts a brown cotton sageo.

Dimensions and handling of the tanto

With a blade of 33 cm and an overall length of 55 cm, the Ryūtō is a tanto of generous proportions. Its 17 cm handle offers a firm one-handed grip. At 0.7 kg, it remains light in hand. Measuring 57 cm in its saya, it presents its guard and engraved blade to full advantage on a display stand.