{"product_id":"original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-ko-wakizashi-short-sword-with-lacquered-scabbard-sageo-sword-cord","title":"Original 18th Century Edo Period Japanese Ko-Wakizashi Short Sword with Lacquered Scabbard \u0026 Sageo Sword Cord","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 well used 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 has the same Hira-Zukuri (平造) blade shape with no shinogi blade ridge, which is standard for tanto knives, so it some might also just call it a tanto, however the fittings are definitely Wakizashi style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e銘\u003c\/span\u003e (mumei), or \"anonymous\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has the following period correct features:\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- 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 service used condition, the blade is still relatively sharp, but shows that it saw a lot of use and was polished in the field, possibly several times. The blade edge does not show any dents or bends, however the polish is definitely degraded. This unfortunately has made it impossible to see any aspects of the blade. It is a bit more shiny near the edge, but we believe this is just from cleaning the edge. Blade length is approximately 11 ⅜ inches and overall length 17 inches. The wakizashi has a traditionally handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) and a Iriyamagata (asymmetrical pointed) nakago-jiri. It has a simple copper habaki typical of the Edo period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe TSUBA (cross guard) is made of well-patinated iron and is of the KAKU GATA (square) shape, though in this case it is more of a diamond shape. It is canted 45 degrees from what we usually see, and the corners are all well rounded. There are even some simple engraved shapes on both sides, and also a HITSU-ANA cut out on one side. There are four seppa around the crossguard,  some of which are also inlet to match the hitsu-ana. These 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 copper or possibly bronze, and has some lovely engraving on it. The kashira (end cap) looks to be made from lacquer coated non-magnetic metal, with much of the lacquer having chipped away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stingray (Sa-Me) grip is very interesting, as it has been highlighted with gold and sanded down, making it highly decorative. The black ITO (cloth grip wrapping) is in very good condition, showing wear from age and use, but it is still solid. There are two blacked brass MENUKI grip ornaments, which look to be fish, with very large and decorative fins, possibly goldfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (SAYA), which has a very nice gloss black decorative urushi lacquer finish, which is in great shape. One side of the saya has a slot for a KOGATANA knife, though there is not one included, and the other side has a KURIKATA (knob), which has a SHITODOME fitting in one side. This would be used to attach a SAGEO sword cord, and this one does have one installed, though it is relatively short.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely Edo Period Ko-wakizashi complete with some great aged fittings. Ready to research and display\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 11 ⅜\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Shape: Hira-Zukuri (平造)\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 17“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 14 ½\"\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":42066632278085,"sku":"ONJR24HRTZA20","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24HRTZA20__01.jpg?v=1728486421","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-18th-century-edo-period-japanese-ko-wakizashi-short-sword-with-lacquered-scabbard-sageo-sword-cord","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}