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 almost completely removed the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang, and given it a lovely aged patina. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無名 (mumei), or "anonymous".

For only the third 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
- tang of the blade shows great age.
- blade has a vibrant visible 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 VERY sharp and should be handled with care. The edge is a bit rough over all from use causing tiny bends and dents, and there is a bit of a chip on the tip, but it is still very good. The polish is in very good condition, with the aspects of the blade still easy to see, except there definitely was some past staining and oxidation on the last 4 inches of the blade near the tip, which was cleaned away, removing the polish in that area. Blade length is approximately 20 ½ inches and overall length 28 inches. The wakizashi has a traditionally handmade blade with a FUTSU 普通 (regular) NAKAGO (tang) and an IRIYAMAGATA (asymmetrical pointed) NAKAGO-JIRI, which does look almost look like it was cut off.

It has a proper temper line (刃文- HAMON), which is visible along most of the edge, even close to the tip, though it is faint in that area. The shape is a very attractive TŌRAN (濤瀾 - 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 due to the cleaning. 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 or walking stick. There is twisted wicker type plant fiber wrapped around the very bottom of the scabbard, and at the top of the grip, which is in great shape. The TSUKA handle and SAYA scabbard are definitely matching, made with wood, and then wrapped with plant fibers and finished with brown lacquer to make it look like cheery or plum wood. This is very well retained, though there is some loss of the covering on the handle. There has also been additional lacquer added around the joint to stabilize it. The blade is fitted with a two piece copper HABAKI blade collar, correct for the EDO period.

A great Edo Period O-wakizashi with a very nice blade, complete with rare "sword cane" fittings. Also includes a recent production sword bag for storage. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 20 ½"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri
Handle Length: 7"
Overall length: 28“
Scabbard Length: 27 ¼"

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.