Original 18th Century Edo Period Japanese Handmade Ko-Wakizashi Short Sword with 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.

This well used 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 close to that of a tanto, some would term this an “Ko-Wakizashi”.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the file marks (yasurimi) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. There is also some patinated oxidation, a sign of great age. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 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 worn condition, the blade is still relatively sharp, but shows that it saw a lot of use and was sharpened in the field, possibly several times. The blade edge does not show any major dents, but definitely is a bit rough. Overall the polish is quite degraded, which unfortunately makes it impossible to see any aspects of the blade. Blade length is approximately 12 ⅛ inches and overall length 18 ¼ inches. The wakizashi has a traditionally handmade blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) and a Haagari (asymmetrical rounded) nakago-jiri. The blade has a proper kissaki (tip), but other than that the blade condition makes it impossible to see anything else about the blade. It has a simple brass habaki typical of the Edo period.

The tsuba (cross guard) is made of well-patinated iron and is of the iconic MOKKO GATA (quince) shape. It looks to be very old, and has some lovely inlaid copper designs on the top. There is also a HITSU-ANA cut out on one side. There are two seppa around the crossguard, which are also inlet to match the hitsu-ana. The fuchi (collar) is made from iron, and has some inlaid gold or brass designs, which are really quite lovely. The kashira (end cap) looks to be made from black horn or wood, and looks to show damage from insects.

The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, and the black Ito (grip wrapping) is in very good condition, showing very light wear. We assume that it was replaced at some point more recently than other parts of the handle. There are two flower arrangement menuki held in place by the wrapping, which look to be blacked copper, highlighted with gold.

The sword comes in a a well fitting wooden scabbard (saya), which has a very nice black decorative urushi lacquer finish, which may be dark brown. It shows a lot of age to the lacquer, with some checking and light deterioration. It has a kurikata (knob), which is where a sageo sword cord might be kept, and it also has a slot for a kogatana knife on the other side, which is unfortunately empty.

A very nice Edo Period O-wakizashi complete with some lovely aged fittings. Available for an economical price and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 12 ⅛”
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri
Overall length: 18 ¼“
Scabbard Length: 14 ⅛”

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.