Wakizashi appraisal

[Amarande]

Hi, i would like some help in identifying or appraising a Wakizashi i just acquired.

 

as far as i know, i was informed it is around 400+ years old and the fittings are all antiques.

 

the tang is unsigned and i do not have any documents for it.

 

few peculiar things i identified though, such as,

1) the handle has a hole exposing the core and it seems like it used to be the original mekugi. the current mekugi is slanted, as the holes seem to be aligned in such a way its not a perpendicular angle through.

2) there is only one seppa at the blade end and it seems to be modern day china made

3) the fittings at the bottom are images of deers (i think) and the fittings under the handle wraps seem to be horses.

4) the Habaki seems to be copper wrapped in silver foil with images of chrysanthemum flowers

5) everything else seems to be fine, the hamon, blade length, age etc

 

will anyone be able to shed some light on this piece? the age, style of swordsmith, period, authenticity, maker, etc. it seems to me the fittings are not all original, and have been swapped or modified over the years.

 

any help is appreciated. thank you!

 

[Rivkin]

Hard to be certain but it appears to be late Muromachi piece. Can be Bizen, so "Bizen Sukesada" attribution is a possibility.

[ROKUJURO]

Nice fittings, probably nice (HIGO?) iron SUKASHI TSUBA, beautiful HABAKI, authentic blade - if you are happy with it and in case the price was o.k. for you, there is nothing to complain about.

[ChrisW]

It looks like a fairly nice package! (Even if it is a put-together.)

I think the blade is fairly attractive and as the others have said, if you got it for a good price then all is well!

[Ooitame]

A nice sword and fittings, would also say late Muromachi. The tang, sugata, say bizen, hamon is close to a few smiths, so no guess on that. Congratulations!

[Stephen]

You did well. 

[tokashikibob]

Very healthy blade with better than average fittings, I would be happy to own it!   Good candidate for submission for papers down the road.