Original Item: Only One Available. Wakizashi (脇差 "side inserted / companion sword") is a general term for a sword with an edge between one and two shaku long (30 cm and 60 cm), predominantly made after 1600. Generally it is the short blade that accompanies a katana in the traditional samurai daisho pairing of swords, but may be worn by classes other than the samurai as a single blade, also worn edge up as the katana.

This example dates from the Pre-WWII period, and has a blade made in the traditional fashion. We recently purchased it from a collector at a military show, and the story that came with the sword is that it was brought back by a USGI during the post war occupation period in a resting scabbard. It definitely shows age on the wood from handling and age.

As there is no clear maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無名 (mumei), or "anonymous". An expert however may be able to use rice paper, ink, and other tools to help read the tang.

The blade has the following period correct features:
- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- hole in the tang is punched and not drilled
- blade has a temper line (hamon), which is easily visible.
- Blade shows grain (hada) in the body of the blade (ji)

The blade of this example is 16 3/4 inches long, and the polish on the blade is very good, showing characteristics of the blade clearly. Overall length of this wakizashi is 24 3/8 inches. It the blade shape is the Shinogi-zukuri, which has a blade ridge (shinogi-ji) as well as a tip (kissaki). This is the standard shape used for longer Wakizashi and almost all Katana.

The hamon (temper line) is still visible, and is a slow and subtle NOTARE (billowing) type, with activity visible inside. Nie Crystals are visible on the transition to the hamon, and there is Nioi cloudiness visible with lamination lines. The tang (nakago) is of the futsu 普通 (regular) style, with an Iriyamagata (asymmetrical pointed) nakago-jiri. The body of the blade shows faint MASAME (straight) Hada (grain), and the boshi (tip temper line) is of the YAKIZUME (no turnback) type, with the yokote still clear.

This sword is mounted in a "resting scabbard" or Shirasaya, which is intended for storing the blade when it is not in use. The handle and scabbard are both stained from age and handling, and the scabbard (saya) is split along the glue line completely. It was then taped together with some red tape with stars, and later what looks to be athletic tape. We have left this intact to preserve the history. The handle (tsuka) also shows some splitting on the glue line, but is still intact, with a wooden habaki (blade collar) glued to the top. The handle is quite tight on the tang, and may require a rubber mallet to remove.

A great USGI Bring back wakizashi in good polish with a very nice aged resting scabbard. Ready to cherish and display!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 16 3/4"
Blade Style: Wakizashi - Shinogi-zukuri
Overall length: 24 3/8“
Scabbard Length: 19 3/4"

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Japanese blade (日本刀 - Nihonto) is unique because it is forged from multiple pieces of folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The traditional Japanese blade and mountings have grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.