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 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.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made 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".

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
- Vibrant visible temper line ("hamon") running full length of blade cutting edge.
- Blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip) and boshi (tip temper line) with a division between the main cutting edge (yokote)
- 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 used condition, the blade is still relatively sharp, but shows that it has seen a good amount of use since the last polishing, and may not have been properly cared for in the meantime. The polish is somewhat degraded, especially near the cross guard, where it looks like oxidation was cleaned away in the past. There is also some damage to the edge near the tip, including small bends and nicks, and the very tip also has a bend and possibly a tiny crack. However, many aspects of the blade can still be appreciated in its present state. Blade length is approximately 12 ½ inches and overall length 17 ¾ inches. The wakizashi has a traditionally handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) and a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri. It has a silver or nickel plated copper "rain" pattern habaki, very popular during the edo period.

The HAMON (刃文) temper line is visible in the light, and is of the SUGUHA (直刃 - straight) shape, showing just a bit of undulation. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with 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 clearly visible, 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.

The TSUBA (cross guard) is made of pebbled texture blacked brass and is of the MARU GATA (round) shape, with a small gilt decoration on one side. There is also a HITSU-ANA cut out for the KOZUKA kogatana handle on one side. There are two 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. The fuchi (collar) is made from blacked copper, and has some lovely embossed gilt decorations on it. The stinrgray skin (SA-ME) grip is fully intact, and is definitely made from real ray skin, however the grip wrapping (ITO) is missing, which also means the KASHIRA end cap and MENUKI are missing, as they are held in place by it. There is a single MEKUGI peg present, which looks to be a replacement.

The kogatana knife with this sword definitely looks to be of recent manufacture, probably from the mid to late 20th century, and has a very nice knife style blade that is still quite sharp. The KOZUKA handle is made of brass, and has three Mitsuba-aoi (Three Leaves of Hollyhock) (三つ葉葵) Mon emblems of the Matsudaira clan, which became the mon of the Tokugawa clan, the last shogun dynasty of Japan, ruling from 1603 to 1867.

The sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (SAYA), which has a spiral patterned urushi lacquer finish, though it is a bit worn and the SAYAJIRI end fitting and KOIGUCHI throat are missing. It also has had the KURIKATA knob removed and the dovetail for it filled. It does have a slot for the kogatana, though it is a bit loose in the slot, as it is definitely not original to the setting.

A lovely Edo Period Ko-wakizashi complete with some great aged fittings and some great restoration potential. Ready to research and display!

Specifications (Wakizashi):-
Blade Length: 12 ½"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 17 ¾“
Scabbard Length: 14"

Specifications (Kogatana):-
Blade Length: 3 ¼"
Overall length: 6 ½“

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.