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.

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.

This example has probably been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades that are several hundred years old. It was later put into a "resting scabbard" for long term storage. Age and wear have made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. The mei, or signature is still relatively easy to read, with the tagane (chisel marks) apparent, though the tagane-makura (raised area around the mei) is definitely worn down a bit.

As best we can tell, the tang blade is signed 加 州 住 正 國 - KASHU JU MASAKUNI, which basically translates to "Masakuni in Kaga Province". This was a province on the western coastal region of Honshu, the central and largest island in Japan. There is unfortunately not much information on this smith, but it is known that they were active during the late Edo Period, roughly 1830-1860. They are rated a 10 by Hawley. As a treat, the other side of the tang has a clear date, written in the standard long form indicating years into the current era: 天 保 七 年 五 月. This would be read: TENPŌ ( Japanese Era Name) NANA-NEN (7th year of era - 1836) GO-GATSU (5th Month - May).

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 is signed and dated on the tang by the maker
- 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).
- Grain (hada) is visible in the body of the blade, only possible with laminated steel blades.

The blade of this example is 19 ¼ inches long, and the overall length of this wakizashi is 21 3/4 inches in the resting handle. The polish on the blade is in excellent condition, which allows the aspects of the blade to easily be seen. There is no oxidation we can see aside from a few spots on the spine, and there is just a bit of scuffing on the left side near the tip. There are no chips, dents, or other issues in the edge, which is still EXTREMELY SHARP, so it should be handled with care. The blade ship is SHINOGI ZUKURI - 鎬造, the most common blade shape, and the standard for longer Wakizashi and Katanas. This has a long ridge on the blade (the shinogi), which separates the shinogi-ji near the spine from the ji near the edge. It also has a YOKOTE separating the rest of the body from the KISSAKI (tip). With the Katana-style blade and longer blade length, this is definitely an Ō-Wakizashi. The tang (nakago) of the blade is the Futsu 普通 (regular) shape, with an Iriyamagata (asymmetrical pointed) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The hamon (temper line) is clearly visible, and is a beautiful SUGUHA (直刃 - Straight) shape, with lots of internal activity. There is a bit of irregularity on the inside, and there are clear NIE Crystals visible along the transition, and there is NIOI cloudiness visible with lamination lines. The body of the blade shows lovely ITAME HADA (板目肌 (wood grain), and the YOKOTE division from the tip is clearly visible, with no fading. The boshi is visible, and is a KOMARU (小丸 - small round turnback) type, which is a bit hard to see due to how clearly defined the yokote is. There are also some WARE lamination lines 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.

As a first, this wakizashi came to us with a Japanese "Shinsa" inspection paper / sword permit, which is required for ALL swords when they are in Japan. Only traditionally made swords are allowed in Japan, which are made from Tamahagane (玉鋼) steel, which is folded numerous times. The paper gives the information about the MEI (signature) and NENGO (date) on the blade, and also gives the date it was issued, was year 49 of the Showa era, 6th Month, 6th Day, or June 6, 1974. There is a second date giving year 52, 10th Month, 20th Day, or October 20, 1977, which is probably the date that the sword was taken back out of Japan. Definitely some great research potential in this document!

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 recent, probably made during the 1970s, when the blade was in Japan. It has a lovely lightly matured color, and one side is marked with the MEI and NENGO on the blade, and there is additional information on the scabbard as well, which we have unfortunately not been able to translate. The seams are still secure, with no splitting visible. The TSUKA (handle) has an attached wooden HABAKI (blade collar) on the top. The original peg (mekugi) is still fitted.

A lovely Edo period Ō-wakizashi by a known maker with a fantastic ready to display blade and original Japanese documentation. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 19 ¼"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri
Overall length: 24 ⅜“
Scabbard Length: 19 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.