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 great 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" (鎬造) shape, some would term this an "Ō-Wakizashi".

This example has been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. There is also some patinated oxidation, a sign of great age. There are three different MEKUGI-ANA (peg holes), so it was probably remounted at least three times. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous".

The blade has the following period correct features:

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- Holes (mekugi-ana) in the tang are punched and not drilled.
- Vibrant visible temper line (hamon) at the edge of the blade with crystals visible as well as lots of activity.
- Tang of the Katana shows great age.
- 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 good condition, the blade is still EXTREMELY SHARP, so it should be handled with care. The polish is in very good condition, showing just a bit of wear and a few small spots of oxidation staining. The edge is virtually dent free, and the blade aspects are all still easy to see in just about any kind of light. Definitely a fantastic condition blade here! It does not look to have seen any significant use since the last polish. Blade length is approximately 22 ½ inches and overall length 32 ⅞ inches. 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.

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive GUNOME-MIDARE (互の目乱れ - irregularly undulating) 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, and lots of internal activity. The body of the blade (JI) also shows hada (肌 - grain), which is the ITAME (板目 - Wood) 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 of the Ō-MARU (大丸- large round turnback) shape, and is fully visible with some great internal activity and a clear transition. 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.

The tsuba (cross guard) is made of iron and is a partially perforated MARU GATA (Round) shaped piece. It is quite striking, showing some inlaid brass "cloud" or "water" designs on the solid portions. There are three metal SEPPA (spacers) around the crossguard, and the FUCHI (grip collar) is made from blacked brass, with some lovely embossed gilt designs. It has a patterned silver HABAKI blade collar typical of the Edo period. The KASHIRA (end cap) is also embossed blacked brass, and shows different designs than the fuchi. The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, and the black ITO (grip wrapping) is in very good condition, showing only light staining and wear, with some minor sweat and oil stains present. There are two blacked brass leaf or flower menuki grip ornaments with gilt highlights held in place by the wrapping. The handle is held in place by a replacement peg, and the handle is a bit loose on the tang as the peg is a bit too small.

The sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (saya), which has a very nice black decorative textured urushi lacquer finish. There is some age to the lacquer, with a few areas of chipping and finish loss, but overall it's very well retained. The seams of the scabbard are still solid, with no separation, and it has a lovely kurikata (knob), which has an attached sageo sword cord that looks to be period, and is tied around the lower part of the scabbard. There is a lovely patinated brass SAYAJIRI end fitting on the scabbard.

A fantastic Edo Period Ō-Wakizash complete with some lovely aged fittings and a great blade! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 22 ½"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 32 ⅞“
Scabbard Length: 27"

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.