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 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. It is around the middle of the blade length range, and has a "Shinogi Zukuri" shape, the most common shape used, and the standard for the longer Katana.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old. Age and wear have made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. This has however also made the mei, or signature on the blade harder to read, and removed the tagane (chisel marks) and tagane-makura (raised area around the mei). As best we can tell, the blade is signed 秀 宗 - HIDEMUNE, which is not a very common swordsmith name. There was one smith by this name in the mid 19th century, but they did not use this signature. Definitely some great potential for further research.

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
- blade has a temper line (hamon), which is visible in various areas.
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.

The blade of this example is 17 3/8 inches long, and the polish on the blade is unfortunately degraded, with many areas of light surface staining, some of which has been cleaned off. This has made seeing aspects of the blade very difficult, and it has definitely been some time since the last time it was fully polished. The blade is still quite sharp however, so it should be handled with care. Overall length of this wakizashi is 24 1/4 inches.

The tang (nakago) is of the futsu 普通 (regular) style, with a Naagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). There are blade wounds including ware (lamination splits) and fukure (Carbon pits). The hamon (temper line) is still faintly visible in one areas of the blade where there is no staining, and it is a very nice SUGUHA (straight) shape. The yokote is still visible, along with traces of the boshi (tip temper line). The sword has a very nice silver Habaki (blade collar), which is typical of the Edo period.

The tsuba (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the Maru Gata (round) shape, without any decorative inlays. It does have a single Hitsu-ana accessory cutout for a kogatana (companion knife), though there are none included with the wakizashi. There is a single seppa (spacer) around the tsuba, though there may have been more at one point. The fuchi (collar) for the tsuka (handle) is very nice, and is attached directly to the tsuba. It has lovely brass and silver inlaid mitsudomoe symbols on it.

The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, however the ito (grip wrapping) has come undone, and the kashira (end cap) has detached from the end of the tsuka. The grip wrapping runs through it, which is why it was not lost. It looks like in the past someone attempted to glue it on the bottom, of the handle, but this was not successfu. There are no menuki present, as they most likely fell off long ago, if there were any in the first place. The peg (mekugi) is almost certainly a replacement.

The sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (saya), which has a very nice decorative lacquer finish, which looks like little pieces of metal or wood suspended in the lacquer. The scabbard does have a slot for a kogatana knife, which is unfortunately absent. The scabbard is in good condition, and definitely looks to be of great age. There is splitting along the seams, and the lacquer has chipped away around the seams. It has a kurikata (knob) where the sageo (sword cord) would be attached, though there is not one present.

A nice Edo Period Wakizashi with a signed blade, complete with scabbard and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 17 3/8"
Blade Shape: Shinogi Zukuri
Overall length: 24 1/4“
Scabbard Length: 20 3/8"

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.