Original 15th – 16th Century Japanese Wakizashi Short Sword with Handmade Blade & Lacquered Scabbard Original Items

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 great polish, with a very nice lacquered scabbard.

We had this sword examined, and we believe this example dates from the Muromachi period (室町時代 Muromachi jidai) of 1336 to 1573, during the later circa 1550. 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. The fittings may be of later manufacture, but are still centuries old.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has all but removed the file marks (yasurimi) on the tang, and given it a lovely patina. It does not appear to have ever been signed, so this blade is considered 無名 (mumei), or “anonymous”. There were many great makers who did not sign their blades, and lack of a signature has little correlation to the quality. It has a “Shinogi Zukuri blade shape, which has a blade ridge (shinogi), and is the same basic shape used by the majority the longer katana swords.

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
– Visible temper line (“hamon”) running full length of blade cutting edge, with lots of internal activity.
– Hada or Grain is visible throughout the blade surface.
– Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.

Offered in great condition, the blade of this example is in excellent polish, and shows only tiny spots of oxidation and scuffing. The various aspects of the blade are still easily visible. The edge is still quite sharp, so care is needed, and there are no nicks or other damage we can see. Blade length is approximately 15″ and overall length 21 1/2″. It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with an Iriyamagata (asymmetrical pointed) nakago-jiri (tang tip).

The blade has a vibrant visible hamon (temper line), which is a lovely NOTARE (wave or swell) type, with a lot of internal activity. There are multiple lamination lines along the blade, and there are clear NIE crystals along the temper line, and the correct NIOI cloudiness. There are also KINSUJI and SUNAGASHI in and above, which are lines of crystalization in and above the hamon, something we rarely see!

The blade still has a clear yokote dividing the geometric kissaki (tip) from the rest of the blade. The blade shows MOKUME (wood burl) hada (grain) on the body, and it has a MIDARI-KOMI (irregular wavy) boshi (tip temper line). There are blade wounds including ware (lamination splits) especially on the shinigo-ji (blade flat) area of the blade. Really a very nice blade here! The sword has a copper Habaki (blade collar), which is typical of very old blades.

The tsuba (cross guard) is made of black lacquered iron and is of the Maru Gata (round) shape. The lacquer is somewhat thick, and has chipped off around parts of the edge. The tsuba has hitsu-ana holes on one side for accessories, which theoretically allows them to be taken out without removing the sword. There are three seppa around the tsuba, with cutouts matching the hitsu-ana on the tsuba.

The fuchi (collar) for the tsuka (handle) and the Kashira (End Cap), are both also made of iron, with lovely gold inlaid designs on the collar. There are two brass menuki grip ornaments present, one which looks to be a fruit on a tree, and the other which looks to be a bundle of sticks or grain held by a peasant. The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, with a nice Ito (cloth binding), which shows only light wear from age and use.

The sword comes in a a well fitting black enamel lacquer wooden scabbard (saya), which has a silver fitting on the bottom and sparkles in the finish. It has a kurikata (knob) one one side for attachment of a sageo (sword cord), and a slot on the other side for a kogatana, though neither are present anymore. There is light wear and some scrapes, but overall this is a very nice condition scabbard, which matches the other fittings and blade perfectly.

A very nice late Muromachi Period wakizashi in very good polish with some very nice fittings (koshirae). Ready to cherish and display!

Specifications (Wakizashi):
Blade Length: 15″
Blade Shape: Shinogi Zukuri
Overall length: 21 1/2“
Scabbard Length: 16 1/2″

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.