Tanto Geometry - inside look at traditional kaiken mounting

A look inside the carving of a small kaiken tanto mounting (futokoro-gatana) with additional examples from an Edo period tsuka and an even older shirasaya.
Serious students of the forge can study more tanto geometry here: http://islandblacksmith.ca/tag/tanto-geometry

The wood is hounoki/honoki, Japanese Magnolia, traditionally chosen because of its stability, longevity, and medium hardness.

The omote is the "public side" of a tanto or sword, the side that faces outwards both when being worn and when on display. The edge faces upwards and the handle is on the left when displaying nihonto. The ura is the "private side" and faces away from the viewer when on display and towards the body when worn.

An article on the carving and fitting of a classical tanto style handle: http://islandblacksmith.ca/2016/02/making-a-tanto-takedown-handle/