{"product_id":"original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-handmade-o-wakizashi-short-sword-with-decorative-lacquered-scabbard-and-kogatana-knife","title":"Original 18th Century Edo Period Japanese Handmade Ō-Wakizashi Short Sword with Decorative Lacquered Scabbard and Kogatana Knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis great example acquired at a recent military show 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 is the \"Shinogi-Zukuri\" (鎬造り) shape and relatively long, some would term this an \"Ō-Wakizashi\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has been remounted multiple times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old, with the last time probably occurring in the later 19th Century. This has completely removed the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang, and given it a lovely patina. There is also bit of patinated oxidation, a sign of great age, and the geometry has become a bit \"soft\" from time and cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade also has been shortened, cut down through the process of SURIAGE (磨上). If a blade is shortened, it can only be done from the tang end, to preserve the KISSAKI (切先 - tip of the blade) and BOSHI (帽子 - tip temper line). The tang on such a blade is cut straight across at the bottom (切り- KIRI), which this example is. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (MUMEI), or \"anonymous\", though it may have originally had one prior to shortening. Based on the condition of the tang we believe it to be from the later part of the Edo Period, during the 18th century. It was refit multiple times, the last time being during the 19th century, and then it was most likely brought back by a USGI after WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has the following period correct features, indicating it is forged in the traditional manner using folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE (玉鋼 - precious steel) smelted iron sand:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)\u003cbr\u003e- Hole (mekugi-ana) in the tang is punched and not drilled.\u003cbr\u003e- Visible temper line (hamon) at the edge of the blade with crystals and lamination visible.\u003cbr\u003e- 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good condition, the blade is \u003cstrong\u003estill quite sharp\u003c\/strong\u003e, so it should be handled with care. The polish is in very good condition, showing some past scuffing and very minor oxidation, which were cleaned away using UCHIKO powder, made from the finest grade of polishing stones. The edge is in great shape, without chips that we can see or feel, and just a few small bends \/ dents. The blade aspects are relatively easy to see, though removal of past oxidation and scuffing has made them faint. Blade length is approximately 21 ¼ inches and overall length 28 ½ inches. It has a FUTSU 普通 (regular) NAKAGO with a KIRI (cut) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The blade shape is SHINOGI-ZUKURI (鎬造り), which has a \"blade ridge or SHINOGI at the edge of the body. This is the \"standard\" shape for most Katana and longer wakizashi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive SUGUHA - 直刃 (straight) shape, with lamination is clearly visible throughout the hamon. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The body of the blade (JI) also shows HADA (肌 - grain), which is the AYASUGI (綾杉 - large wavy grain) pattern. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a faint YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is present but no longer distinct. There are also some KIZU blade wounds visible, both WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits, only possible on true handmade blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe TSUBA (鍔 - cross guard) is made of iron and is a MARU GATA (丸形 - round shaped) piece, which has two HITSU-ANA, one for a KOGAI hair ornament (not included), and the other for the KOZUKA handle of the included KOGATANA. It displays a lovely oxidized patina, and is a solid design with lovely embossed landscape motifs. There is one metal SEPPA spacer and one fiber material one, which was custom cut to keep the tsuba stable, which it does quite well. The FUCHI (grip collar) and KASHIRA (end cap) are both made from blacked brass, with gilt highlights, though they do not match in pattern. The blade is fitted with a copper HABAKI blade collar, typical of the EDO period, however in this case it is embossed and shaped to look like mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip is in very condition, and is genuine skin with a high level of pattern variation, though some of it is missing towards the bottom on one side. It has an off white ITO (grip wrapping) present, which was possibly lacquered brown at some time, though this may be from use and wear. There are two brass MENUKI trip ornaments with gold highlights, which look to be some type of floral design.. The handle is held in place by what looks to be an original peg, and the handle is tight on the tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe KOGATANA knife is very nice, measuring 7 ¾\" in overall length with a 4 ¼\" long blade. It has a blacked copper KOZUKA handle embossed with a gilt dragon design, which looks to be surrounded by clouds and waves. The blade shows past oxidation, and does look to be quite old. It is relatively dull at present, and there are some partially worn away kanji, which we were not able to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (SAYA), which has a gloss URUSHI lacquer finish, maroon with black horizontal stripes over the entire length. There is some age to the lacquer, with some of the black bands worn through, and there is some splitting along the sides, as well as overall wear. It has a slot for the included KOGATANA knife, while other side has a lovely KURIKATA (栗形 - knob) for a sageo sword cord, though none is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely Edo Period Ō-Wakizashi complete with lovely aged fittings and a very good blade! With the included kogatana knife, this will make a compelling and complete addition to any Japanese sword collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Wakizashi):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 21 ¼\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造り)\u003cbr\u003eGrip Length: 6 ½\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 28 ½“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 22 ⅛\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Kogatana):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 4 ¼\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 7 ¾\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe traditional Japanese blade and mountings have grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45410021015621,"sku":"ONSV24MDS044","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/50339AF3-5FED-4B16-93AF-21B278689EA5.jpg?v=1785184065","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-handmade-o-wakizashi-short-sword-with-decorative-lacquered-scabbard-and-kogatana-knife","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}