{"product_id":"original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-ko-wakizashi-short-sword-with-false-length-lacquered-scabbard","title":"Original 18th Century Edo Period Japanese Ko-Wakizashi Short Sword with False-Length 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 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 tanto, some would term this an \"Ko-Wakizashi\" (小脇差). It does have the standard Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造) shape, standard for Katana and other blades, which is usually not seen on such short Wakizashi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has mostly worn away the file marks 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. 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- Visible temper line (HAMON) running full length of blade cutting edge.\u003cbr\u003e- Blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (tip), with a division between the main cutting edge (YOKOTE)\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in very good condition, the blade of this example has seen service and past oxidation, with some peppering and staining still visible on the surface. It looks to have been cleaned since the last traditional polish with UCHIKO powder, made from the finest grade of polishing stones. This combined with the oxidation staining has made the aspects of the blade harder to see, only visible in the right light. The edge is still quite sharp, showing some roughness in areas, though there are no major chips or dents visible. Blade length is approximately 14 ¼”\" and overall length 20 ⅝\". It has a futsu 普通 (regular) NAKAGO with a HAAGARI (asymmetrical rounded) NAKAGO-JIRI (tang tip).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HAMON (刃文) temper line is visible in the right light, and is of the CHŌJI MIDARE (丁子乱れ - irregular clove tree flower) shape, showing a lot of activity along the transition. Along the transition there are NIE crystals visible, with faintly cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - tip of blade), and the YOKOTE (横手 - transition to the tip) is faintly present, though the BOSHI (帽子 -tip temper line) is no longer distinct. We can see some blade wounds (傷 - KIZU) such as WARE (割れ- lamination lines) and very small FUKURE (脹れ - Carbon pits). These are only possible on true traditionally made blades. We were not able to make out any clear HADA or grain pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iron TSUBA (鍔 - cross guard) is relatively small, made in the traditional MOKKO GATA (木瓜形 - four-lobed quince shape) shape, though it actually still has a HITSU-ANA hole for the KOZUKA handle of a KOGATANA. The surface is embossed with floral designs, with some brass highlighted dots. There are three seppa around the crossguard, which are are intended to keep the tsuba from wobbling, but due to the handle shrinking there is some wobble even with them installed. They are inlet on one side to line up with the hole in the tsuba. The FUCHI (grip collar) on the TSUKA (handle) is made from blacked \/ black painted brass, and shows what looks to be fruit on a branch. The KASHIRA (end cap) is oxidized iron, with signs of old gold highlighting, and is not strongly attached to the bottom of the grip. The stingray skin (SA-ME) grip is mostly intact, and is definitely made from real ray skin, and is has an intact teal ITO (grip wrapping), which holds too brass MENUKI grip ornaments in place, which look to be insects of some type. There is a single MEKUGI peg present, which looks to be a replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sword comes in a wooden scabbard (SAYA), which has a dark brown gloss URUSHI lacquer finish that shows light wear. It has matching composition material fittings, including the SAYAJIRI end fitting, KOIGUCHI throat fitting, and KURIKATA (栗形 - knob) where a SAGEO sword cord would attach. There is a slot for a kogatana knife, though nont is included, and the fitting at the start of the slot is also composition, but broken. The scabbard looks to be from a later period, and is \"false-length\", meant to give the impression of a blade that is longer than it actually is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very interesting Edo Period Ko-wakizashi complete with some great aged fittings and a \"false-length\" scabbard. Although worn, the attractive temper line definitely would make this a compelling example to a beginning Japanese sword collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 14 ¼”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)\u003cbr\u003eHandle Length: 5 ¼”\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 20 ⅝“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 19 ¼\"\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":45410011086917,"sku":"ONJR25MAMD096","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/E5803F30-65C5-4921-9EC0-A8D4C43E04C7.jpg?v=1785184030","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-ko-wakizashi-short-sword-with-false-length-lacquered-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}