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 very nice example dates from the Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. 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 been remounted multiple times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang very faint, and given it a lovely patina. The tang has however also been lengthened by moving the HA-MACHI (edge-notch) up, while the MUNE-MACHI (back notch) was left where it was. It also had the sides of the blade in this area ground down so that it would fit into fittings it comes with. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無名 (mumei), or "anonymous".

For only the second time, the KOSHIRAE (mountings) for this blade are SHIKOMIZUE style, often called a "Sword Cane". The Kanji for this (仕込み杖) mean "placing inside a cane" in English, and typically these were lower quality straight blades. This example however has a true curved handmade blade, forged in the traditional manner using folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE (玉鋼 - precious steel) smelted iron sand.

The blade has the following period correct features:

- 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
- blade has a temper line (hamon), running the entire edge of the blade
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible, only possible on traditionally made blades.

Offered in very nice condition, the blade is still relatively sharp and has a great service used look. There is not any major edge denting, though the very tip of the blade has a tiny chip missing. The polish is in fair condition, showing it has seen  a lot of use and cleaning since the last time it was fully serviced. We can see some areas of past speckled oxidation and scuffing, as well as evidence of improper cleaning. This has unfortunately made the aspects of the blade hard to see, so it must be viewed in the right light. Blade length is approximately 20 ¼ inches and overall length 36 ⅛ inches. The wakizashi has a traditionally handmade blade with a FUTSU 普通 (regular) NAKAGO (tang) and an IRIYAMAGATA (asymmetrical pointed) NAKAGO-JIRI.

It has a proper temper line (刃文- HAMON), which is visible along much of the edge, particularly on one side. The shape is a very attractive TŌRAN MIDARE (濤瀾 乱れ - irregular high billowing wave) type. There is visible NIE crystallization at the edge of the temper line easily visible, as well as the correct NIOI cloudiness in the hamon.  The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade), however the YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki) and BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) are no longer visible. The blade has various KIZU (blade wounds), including WARE , which are lamination seams from the forging process, and there are also FUKURE carbon pits. which are inclusions from joining the pieces of steel together.

The SHIKOMIZUE fittings are lovely, and very effectively make it look like a cane. The SAYA (scabbard) has an iron fitting at the end, and looks to have had the outside wrapped with thin sheets of wood to make it look more like a cane, and it was then finished with lovely brown translucent lacquer, giving it a great look. It does not show any major damage such as splitting or cracks. The TSUKA (handle is also nice, but may be a post WWII example made to sell the blade and scabbard, as it is made from two piece of wood glued together, and has a "faux" HABAKI (blade collar) painted gold, as well as a carved in KASHIRA end cap. It is wrapped with dark green / black cord, which is very easy to grip, and has a MEKUGI peg present. It is split at the top, and the blade is difficult to remove, even after it was "adjusted" by having some areas ground away.

A very nice Edo Period O-wakizashi with a very nice blade that shows long use, complete with rare "sword cane" fittings and ready to restore or display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 20 ¼"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri
Overall length: 36 ⅛“
Scabbard Length: 28 ¾"

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.