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. Here we have a lovely example showing light wear from use, which was probably refit later in the Edo period, and comes complete with lovely fittings, as well as a Kogatana knife and Sageo sword cord, which are probably also from the edo period.

As best we can tell, this example dates from the late Muromachi period (室町時代 Muromachi jidai) of 1336 to 1573, most likely the later portion. This is part of the period of Japanese swordmaking known as Kotō (古刀"old swords"), the the type of swords that later smiths treated as the goal they needed to achieve. As the blade length is close to that of a Katana, and the blade is the "Shinogi-Zukuri" shape, some would term this an "Ō-Wakizashi". This example has probably been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old, with the last time probably occurring in the late 19th Century. It was then probably brought back to the US during the WWII era.

Age and wear have made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina, with some areas of oxidation scaling, a sign of great age. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous". Examination of the patination and style leads us to believe it is from the early-mid 1500s, towards the end of the Muromachi period.

The blade has the following period correct features, indicating it is made from folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE smelted iron:
- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- Hole (mekugi-ana) in the tang is punched and not drilled
- Visible temper line ("hamon") on the blade cutting edge.
- Blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip)
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Ware (lamination lines) are visible in several areas.

Offered in very good condition, the polish on the blade is definitely somewhat worn, and shows signs of cleaning using uchiko powder, made from the dust of the finest level polishing stones. This has unfortunately made some aspects of the blade faint, however it is still QUITE SHARP, with no edge issues we can see, and should be HANDLED WITH CARE. The blade length is approximately 19 ½" and overall length 26 ½". It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with an Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The blade shape is SHINOGI-ZUKURI, which is the "standard" shape for most Katana and longer wakizashi. Many would term this an "Ō-Wakizashi" as the length is relatively close to a Katana.

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - temper line) is fully visible, and looks to be a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 - straight) shape, showing just a bit of undulation. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some nice activity. The hamon is relatively narrow, as is the blade, so it has most likely been polished several times, which makes the blade thinner as material is removed. Due to wear to the polish, we were not able to see any type of HADA or grain in the JI (body) of the blade, however there are definitely some WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits, only possible on laminated blades. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is of the YAKIZUME (焼詰め- no turnback) shape, and is mostly visible with a clear transition.

The patinated perforated TSUBA (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the MARU GATA (round) shape, and has traces of past gold or brass inlay on both sides, however the oxidation has removed these. It's very possible that it is as old as the blade is. It has a single HITSU-ANA accessory hole for the included KOGATANA knife. This allows it to be taken out without unsheathing the sword. There are three metal seppa to help keep the tsuba from wobbling, and it is relatively secure when the hilt is on. The sword has a multi-piece copper blade collar (HABAKI), typical of the Edo period.

The FUCHI (collar) for the TSUKA (handle) is made from patinated iron, and has some beautiful embossed gilt flower designs, as well as what looks to be a tarnished silver one. The KABUTO-GANE (end cap) is also of iron, with matching gilt and tarnished silver flower designs. There are two brass MENUKI grip ornaments, which have matching designs as well. The stingray skin (SA-ME) grip is in very good shape, and is definitely real skin, not simulated. The grip wrapping (ITO) is black, and in excellent condition, so we believe that the handle may have had new SA-ME and ITO professionally fitted during the 20th Century. There is a single partial wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be original.

The KOGATANA knife is very nice, and has a blacked copper KOZUKA handle embossed with chickens and what look to be monks riding chickens. There are Japanese KANJI characters on the blade, which are somewhat worn and also quite stylized, so we have not been able to read them.

The sword comes well-fitting wooden scabbard (saya), which is finished with lovely black urushi lacquer. The scabbard has a slot for a kogatana knife, which fits well, and lines up correctly with the HITSU-ANA in the crossguard. There is also a lovely iron KURIKATA knob, where the included brown SAGEO sword cord is attached and wrapped in the usual fashion. There is some age to the lacquer but no cracks or other major damage. Really a nice scabbard, which matches the rest of the fittings well.

A lovely late Muromachi Period wakizashi in a nice set of Edo period fittings, complete with a kogatana knife and sageo sword cord! Ready to research and display!

Specifications (Wakizashi):-
Blade Length: 19 ½"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 26 ½“
Scabbard Length: 21"

Specifications (Kogatana):-
Blade length: 4"
Overall length: 7 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.