{"product_id":"original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-handmade-o-wakizashi-short-sword-with-lacquered-scabbard","title":"Original 18th Century Edo Period Japanese Handmade Ō-Wakizashi Short Sword with Lacquered Scabbard","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\u003eThis example has been remounted several times, indicated by the amount of wear in the MEKUGI-ANA (peg hole), as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. There is also some patinated oxidation, a sign of great age, and the geometry has become \"soft\" from time and cleaning. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or \"anonymous\".\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- Vibrant visible temper line (hamon) at the edge of the blade with crystals visible as well as lots of activity.\u003cbr\u003e- Tang of the Katana shows great age.\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 excellent condition, showing just a bit of wear and no real oxidation we can see, just some wear from cleaning over the years. The edge is in great shape, with just a few tiny dents \/ nicks that are too small to photograph, including a tiny one at the very tip. The blade aspects are all still easy to see in just about any kind of light. Definitely a lovely condition blade here! It does not look to have seen any significant use since the last polish. Blade length is approximately 17 ½ inches and overall length 24 ⅝ inches. It has a FUTSU 普通 (regular) NAKAGO with a HAAGARI (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The blade shape is SHINOGI-ZUKURI, which 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 NOTARE MIDARE (湾れ乱れ - irregular wave like) shape, with lots of internal activity. 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 MOKUME (杢目 wood burl) pattern. 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 present, and is of the MIDARE KOMI (乱込み - irregular wavy) shape, though it can be hard to see. There are also some KIZU blade wounds visible, both WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits, only possible on true handmade blades. This is really a fantastic looking blade! With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe TSUBA (cross guard) is made of iron and is a KAKU GATA (square shaped) piece, which has two HITSU-ANA, one for a KOGAI hair ornament, and the other for the KOZUKA handle of a KOGATANA, though neither are included. It is quite striking, and has impressed flower or palm tree designs, as well as some gold inlayed designs, which look great. There are four metal SEPPA (spacers) around the crossguard to keep it secure, and the FUCHI (grip collar) and KASHIRA (end cap) are both made from heavily embossed blacked brass with gilt highlighting. They show matching design motifs, and are really quite well done. The blade is fitted with a two piece copper HABAKI blade collar typical of the Edo period. The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, and the teal ITO (grip wrapping) is in very good condition, showing some wear but no tears or fraying, with sweat and oil stains present. There are two blacked stand of arms type menuki grip ornaments with gilt highlights held in place by the wrapping. The handle is held in place by what looks to be an original peg, and the handle is a bit loose on the tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (SAYA), which has a very nice gloss black URUSHI lacquer finish. There is some age to the lacquer, though it does look like it may have been touched up at some point long ago. The seams do not show any cracking, though there is some chipping on the body, exposing an older finish, which is typical as these were used for decades if not centuries. It has a slot for a KOGATANA knife, though none is present. The other side has a lovely KURIKATA (栗形 - knob), used to attach a SAGEO sword cord (not included), and there is also a KAERIZUNO (返角 - hook), which prevents the sageo from slipping when equipped.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fantastic Edo Period Ō-Wakizash complete with some lovely aged fittings and a great blade! Ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 17 ½\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造り)\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 24 ⅝“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 21\"\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":45183027773509,"sku":"ONJR25MAMD101","price":2195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/06A1AFB2-8F9C-4628-8BA4-9F3B26FF9F3B.jpg?v=1781890554","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-handmade-o-wakizashi-short-sword-with-lacquered-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}