Original Item: Only One Available. Wakizashi (脇差 "side inserted / companion sword") is a general term for a sword between one and two shaku long (30 cm and 60 cm). Wakizashi close to the length of a katana are called ō-wakizashi and wakizashi closer to tantō length are called ko-wakizashi. 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.

As best we can tell, this example dates from the Muromachi period (室町時代 Muromachi jidai) of 1336 to 1573, most likely the earlier portion. This is part of the period of Japanese swordmaking known as Kotō (古刀"old swords"), the the type of swords that later smiths treated as the goal they needed to achieve.

This example has definitely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old. Additionally, the tang was reshaped and cut, as this blade was originally used in a Naginata (薙刀) pole arm. These became much less important after the Meiji restoration, so many were converted to Wakizashi and Tantō, depending on the length and shape of the blade. This process is known as SURIAGE (磨上 - shortened tang), and is the only way to shortened a Japanese blade, as the blade cannot be shortened from the tip due to the temper line. This was probably done in the late 19th century, and then the blade was later polished and put into a "resting scabbard" for long term storage, probably post WWII.

Age and wear have made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無名 (mumei), or "anonymous". It may originally have been signed on an area of the blade that was removed, or it may simply have worn away over time.

The blade is really a nice example, has the following period correct features:
- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- hole in the tang (mekugi-ana) is punched and not drilled
- blade has a temper line (hamon), which is easily visible and vibrant.
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade, only possible on traditionally made examples. These are mostly WARE (lamination lines), but there are also fukure (blisters or carbon pits).
- Grain (hada) is visible in the body of the blade, only possible with laminated steel blades.

The blade of this example is 12 ⅜ inches long, and the overall length of this wakizashi is 18 ⅜ inches in the resting handle. Most would term this is a Ko-Wakizashi as it is shorter, and very much resembles a long tanto. The polish on the blade is excellent condition, which allows the aspects of the blade to easily be seen. There is a just a tiny bit of light oxidation staining in areas. The edge is still EXTREMELY sharp, with no chips, nicks, or dents, so please handle with care! The blade shape is UNOKUBI-ZUKURI (鵜首造 - cormorant's neck shape), the standard shape for most Naginata blades. It is also seen on some Katana for a time as well as many Tantō, both those shortened from Naginata and those purpose made. This has a partial bevel on the spine of the blade, which swells back to full width near the kissaki (blade point) for strength. There is no yokote on this blade shape, and the spine looks like the neck of a cormorant. The tang (nakago) of the blade is of the Futsu (普通 - regular) shapo with a KIRI (切り- cut) nakago-jiri, correct for blades that have been shortened.

The hamon (temper line) is clearly visible, and is a beautiful MIDARE (乱れ - irregular) shape, with lots of internal activity. It shows aspects that resemble several other styles of temper lines, so it was a bit hard to classify. NIE Crystals are visible, and there is NIOI cloudiness visible with lamination lines. There are also some sunagashi and kinsuji visible, which are inclusions inside and above the hamon. The body of the blade shows MOKUME HADA (杢目肌 (wood burl grain), which is very attractive. The boshi is visible, and is a KOMARU (小丸 - small round turnback) type, and there is correctly no YOKOTE on this blade. There are also some WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits visible, only possible on traditionally made blades. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.

This sword is mounted in a "resting scabbard" or Shirasaya, which is intended for storing the blade when it is not in use. It is in very good condition, and looks to be relatively new, probably from the mid-late 20th century, and the wood has matured a bit to a lovely color. The seams are still secure, with no splitting visible, and the original pin (mekugi) is still present. The blade is fitted with a "rain" pattern brass collar (habaki), which is quite attractive.

A lovely Muromachi period Ko-wakizashi made from a Naginata blade, offered with an excellent polish in a lovely resting scabbard. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 12 ⅜"
Blade Shape: Unokubi-Zukuri (Cormorant's Neck)
Overall length: 18 ⅜“
Scabbard Length: 14 ¼"

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.