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. Here we have a wonderful example in excellent polish, which was probably refit later in the Edo period, and comes complete "en suite" with matched fittings and a kogatana knife.

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. This example is around the middle of the length that Wakizashi are made in, so though it does have the the "Shinogi-Zukuri" shape like a Katana, it is not really long enough to be considered an "Ō-Wakizashi". This example has probably been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old, with the last time probably occurring in the late 19th Century. It was then probably brought back to the US during the WWII era.

Age and wear have made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina, with some areas of oxidation scaling. There still is some of the tagane-makura (raised area around the mei) present, and the tagane (chisel marks) are quite faint, however the MEI signature is still relatively easy to read. As best we can tell it reads 尚定 - NAOSADA, which is not a common name at all among sword smiths. This however has made it relatively easy to locate the smith, who looks to have been active during the Genbun (元文) era, which lasted 1736-1741. NAOSADA worked in Kii Province (紀伊国 - Kii no Kuni), or Kishū (紀州), which is the southernmost part of the main Japanese island, Honshū (本州). Their teacher is listed as NAOSHIGE (直重), of which there were several working in Kii province. They are listed in Hawley and rated at 15, though there is unfortunately not much more information about them we can find.

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 is signed by the maker (Mei)
- Vibrant visible temper line ("hamon") running full length of blade cutting edge.
- Blade has a proper geometric kissaki (tip) and boshi (tip temper line)
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Ware (lamination lines) are visible in several areas.

Offered in magnificent condition, the polish on the blade of this example is excellent, showing that very little use and cleaning has happened since the last polishing. There are just a few minor spots of oxidation and scuffing on the shinogi, and the aspects of this blade are able to be easily appreciated in any kind of light. It is still quite sharp, with no edge issues we can see, and should be handled with care. The blade length is approximately 16 ⅞" and overall length 24". It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with an Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The blade shape is SHINOGI-ZUKURI, which is the "standard" shape for most Katana and longer wakizashi.

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive YAHAZU (矢筈 - arrow notched) shape, with lots of internal activity. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some nice activity. SUNAGUSHI and KINSUJI are both visible, which are activities in the crystal structure of the blade in and hear the temper line. The body of the blade (JI) also shows hada (肌 - grain), which is the MOKUME (杢目 - Wood Burl) shape.

The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is of the Ō-MARU (大丸- large round turnback) shape, and is fully visible with some great internal activity and a clear transition. There are also some KIZU blade wounds visible, mostly WARE lamination lines, only possible on true handmade blades. This is really a fantastic looking blade! With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.

The patinated tsuba (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the MARU GATA (round) shape, and is quite perforated, almost skeletal in construction. It has two Hitsu-ana accessory holes, one for the Kozuka (kogatana handle) and one for a kogai hair ornament. This allows the accessories to be taken out without unsheathing the sword, though only the kogatana is included in this listing. There are two metal seppa to help keep the tsuba from wobbling, however due to shrinkage the tsuba wobbles even with the handle installed presently. The sword has a silver plated copper blade collar (habaki), typical of the Edo period.

The FUCHI (collar) and KASHIRA (end cap) for the TSUKA (handle) are both made from lovely patinated brass, and both show some lovely designs. The fuchi has river scenes matching the handle on the kogatana knife, and these fittings definitely look to be a matched set. There are two menuki grip ornaments, which look to be some type of flower design. The stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip is in great shape, showing no splitting or other damage, though the black grip wrapping (Ito) has some fraying and deterioration. It has wear on the raised areas where the wrapping crosses over, and has torn through on one of these areas. There is a single partial wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, which looks to be from the edo period.

The kogatana knife shows a nice patinated blade, which is still relatively sharp, and has a lovely brass KOZUKA (handle), which shows what looks to be two hunters on a boat in pursuit of some game fowl on the water. These designs are executed in copper and blacked silver.

The sword comes well-fitting wooden scabbard (saya), which is finished with lovely bloss black urushi lacquer. The scabbard has a slot for the kogatana knife, and also a KURIKATA knob, where a SAGEO sword cord might be attached. The scabbard is in very good condition, though it definitely does show age. There is some cracking and lifting of the lacquer, though there is no major splitting along the side seam.

A fantastic mid Edo Period wakizashi by a known blade smith with a blade in fantastic polish, complete with a nice set of matched Edo period fittings! Ready to research and display!

Specifications (Wakizashi):-
Blade Length: 16 ⅞"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 24“
Scabbard Length: 18 ⅜"

Specifications (Kogatana):-
Blade Length: 4 ¼"
Overall length: 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.