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 interesting 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 closer 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, however the fittings are definitely Wakizashi style.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has pretty much removed the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely worn patina. We can see war on the tang from a past set of fittings, and it does look like tight fitting handle has worn down the tang a bit. There is a single character we can see, 兼 - KANE, but this is not enough to identify any maker, so we would consider this blade to be 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
- 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 condition, the blade is still VERY sharp, so it should definitely be handled with care. It definitely looks to have been polished in the field several times, probably using uchiko powder, which has unfortunately degraded the polish. It is still relatively bright and shiny, but the aspects of the blade are hard to see due to the sword being out of polish. Blade length is approximately 15 ⅜ inches and overall length 21 ½ inches. The wakizashi has a traditionally handmade blade with a rare FUNAGATA (舟形 - ship bottom shaped) nakago with a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri. It has a multi-piece silver or silver plated copper HABAKI blade collar, typical of the edo period.

The TSUBA (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the MARU GATA (round) shape, which has some lovely embossed designs on both sides. It has two HITSU-ANA accessory slots, one for a KOGAI hair ornament, and one for the KOZUKA handle of a KOGATANA, though neither are included with this setting. There are two seppa around the crossguard, 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 embossed designs on it, and the KASHIRA end cap is matching in material and design.

The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, with a nice dark green ITO grip wrapping, which holds the end cap in place. It is in good condition, showing moderate use, which has stained and discolored the wrapping a bit. There are two matching bronze menuki present, which look to be birds or fish, and are very well executed. The handle is held in place by a single securing peg, which looks to be quite old.

The sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (SAYA), which has a very nice decorative urushi lacquer finish, showing a fantastic pattern of orange bristles (possibly copper) with green sparks interspersed. The finish is still in very good shape, with a bit of cracking as we often see. One side of the SAYA has a slot for a KOGATANA knife, though there is not one included, and the roof of the channel has collapsed a bit. The other side has a KURIKATA (knob), which has black SAGEO sword cord fitted. The scabbard has a great copper KASHIRA end cap, and is definitely one of the most interesting scabbards we have seen in some time!

A lovely Edo Period Ko-wakizashi with some very interesting aspects, complete with some great aged fittings. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 15 ⅜"
Blade Shape: Hira-Zukuri (平造)
Overall length: 21 ½“
Scabbard Length: 16 ¾"

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.