Wakizashi Identification: WWII Bringback

[VealDonPeppe]

Hello.  I was recently entrusted with a Wakizashi my great grandfather brought back from WWII.  He was an officer in the Navy.  I attached some pics to the imgur link below.  I'd love to learn more about the sword.  I'm not looking to sell it but would love any info and possible value.  Thank you very much.

 

https://imgur.com/a/VqsmVAz

 

-Julius

[Geraint]

Dear Julius.

 

Welcome to NMB!  Your sword is indeed a wakizashi, the pictures of the nakago, tang, indicate that it has been shortened at some time in it's life.  The mounts are complete, though I cannot see the kashira clearly and that may be a replacement put together when the hilt was re wrapped and that by someone who did not know what they were doing.  In the sword's present condition it is going to be hard to say much more about it with any degree of certainty except that it is an original Japanese sword, it will be at least as early as the 19th century though the shortening may suggest earlier.  The tsuba, guard, may be an early one.

 

You have resisted the urge to clean anything, stick with that idea, just a little light oil on the blade while you work out what to do.  If it were mine I would probably arrange to have the hilt re bound by an expert and keep it the way it is now.  As to value, well not a great deal.  In the UK a few hundred pounds, probably the same in the US.  As a family piece brought back by your grandfather, of course it's a treasure.

 

Hope this helps, much more to come from others I am sure.

 

All the best.

[Shugyosha]

Hi Julius,

It's hard to pick out some of the fine details of the blade that might give a better idea of its age. If you are able to provide some detail shots of the tip, the white area near the edge and any visible grain pattern above that white area you may get some more precise information.

 

Otherwise welcome to the world of Japanese swords; hope you'll hang around and have fun.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Julius,

Here is a care and handling brochure you would be smart to read:

http://nbthk-ab.org/cleaning-maintenance.php

Grey

[VealDonPeppe]

Thanks everyone for the responses, here are a few more pics of the blade and one of the Kashira.  Really appreciate this.  Additionally, does anyone know someone in the NYC area that would be good to bring the Wakizashi to?  I'd consider getting it fixed up a bit and rewrapped or polished; whatever is recommended.  It is also missing its Mekugi and I'll need to get a new one made for it.  Heres the link with more pics added.

 

https://imgur.com/a/VqsmVAz

 

-Julius

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Julius,

You can make a new mekugi yourself; just whittle a bamboo chopstick.  And don't wait to do this; do it ASAP.  Without that pin to lock the blade in the handle, it can fall loose: onto the floor, inside the scabbard, through your foot, there are many variations.

Grey

[VealDonPeppe]

Thanks for the tip Grey, going to do that ASAP.  Guess that means I'm ordering sushi tonight!  Appreciate it.

 

-Julius

[VealDonPeppe]

Anybody have any recommendations in the NYC area of somebody I can bring this to for possible restoration?

[hxv]

Julius, 

 

“Restoration” is not a one-stop shop. Each craftsman specializes in one area. Also, it’s not a cheap proposition. For example, if you want to polish the sword, I would recommend sending it off to have new shirasaya made (~$400 for a wakizashi, ~6 months lead time). Then, send it off to have it polished by a properly trained polisher (~$100/inch, ~18 months lead time). By the time all said and done, you are looking at 2 years and $2k-$3k. You might want to hold off on any restoration and do a bit of reading to figure out what you really want to do. 

Hoanh

[VealDonPeppe]

On 12/28/2020 at 1:15 AM, hxv said:

Julius, 

 

“Restoration” is not a one-stop shop. Each craftsman specializes in one area. Also, it’s not a cheap proposition. For example, if you want to polish the sword, I would recommend sending it off to have new shirasaya made (~$400 for a wakizashi, ~6 months lead time). Then, send it off to have it polished by a properly trained polisher (~$100/inch, ~18 months lead time). By the time all said and done, you are looking at 2 years and $2k-$3k. You might want to hold off on any restoration and do a bit of reading to figure out what you really want to do. 

Hoanh

 

Thank you very much for the information.  Is there anyone you recommend in particular to get a shirasaya made? I think I may opt to have this done and not doing a polish as of yet.  Appreciate it.

[b.hennick]

OTH I gave a sword to Brian Tschernaga who arranged for the polish while he made the habaki and shirasaya. Paul Martin can coordinate all that in Japan as could several others.

Edited January 9, 2021 by b.hennick
typo

[hxv]

Julius,

 

I have been happy with John Tirado’s work. I can PM you his contact info if you wish. He is based out of Pennsylvania. 
 

Hoanh

[b.hennick]

I too have been very happy with John's shirasaya. 

[VealDonPeppe]

1 hour ago, hxv said:

Julius,

 

I have been happy with John Tirado’s work. I can PM you his contact info if you wish. He is based out of Pennsylvania. 
 

Hoanh

Thank you very much that would be great

[VealDonPeppe]

1 hour ago, b.hennick said:

OTH I gave a sword to Brian Tschernaga who arranged for the polish while he made the habaki and shirasaya. Paul Martin can coordinate all that in Japan as could several others.

Thank you I'll look in to them as well, appreciate it.