Signed Saitō Kaiken / Tantō — Postwar Ceremonial Dagger

A compact signed Japanese kaiken / tantō, probably dating to the post-war Shōwa period. The blade has a nagasa of approximately 155 mm and displays a clearly defined shinogi, a long bo-hi and a gracefully curved kissaki. The blade is highly polished, with the visible geometry suggesting a traditionally constructed Japanese blade, although the supplied photographs do not allow a reliable assessment of the hamon or jihada.

The blade is mounted with a simple wooden tsuka and matching wooden saya, together with a plain silver-coloured habaki. The understated mounting is characteristic of a ceremonial or presentation dagger, rather than a conventional wartime military mounting.

The nakago bears a visible signature apparently reading Saitō (斎藤 / 齋藤). The attribution to a particular Saitō smith cannot presently be established from the available photographs alone. The dagger may have been made for postwar ceremonial or presentation use, and an association with a senior officer or general is possible, but there is insufficient evidence to specifically describe it as a General's dagger.

The overall condition is good, with an attractive polished blade and only minor surface marks visible. The simple wooden mounting preserves the functional and restrained character of the piece.

Dimension: 260 mm overall length; 155 mm nagasa; 13.3–15.5 mm width
Blade: 155 mm nagasa, shinogi-zukuri with bo-hi
Mounting: Plain wooden tsuka and saya, silver-coloured habaki
Signature: Saitō — reading provisional
Period: Probably postwar Shōwa period
Type: Kaiken / small tantō, ceremonial or presentation dagger