Shikomizue

[Tengu1957]

Shikomizue - sword cane 
Wakizashi - signed Yamato Daijo Fujiwara MasaNori 
Ubu ,worked circa 1661   57. 2 cm
Total length of cane 96 cm

In the early part of the Meiji period after the prohibition for wearing swords many ex Samurai had these sword canes made to carry a sword without breaking the law .
This was probably the Wakizashi that the original owner carried with his Katana. 
The outside of the cane is lacquered to resemble wood so it would look like a regular walking stick. When you pull the sword from the cane the two hand protectors pop out automatically. This owner meant business !!!!

[GeorgeLuucas]

Very cool! 

 

I would love to see more photos of the hand guard mechanism
 

Cheers,

-Sam 

[Ray Singer]

This is Masanori rather than Kanenori. 

[Tengu1957]

Thanks Ray , I shouldn't have went from memory 

[Tengu1957]

36 minutes ago, GeorgeLuucas said:

Very cool! 

 

I would love to see more photos of the hand guard mechanism
 

Cheers,

-Sam 

 

[Tengu1957]

They hand guards fold forward , when you draw the sword they pop out automatically. You have to fold them forward while holding them closed. It's a spring mechanism. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Often these are pretty crude affairs in terms of blade and fittings but this is clearly a superior example, great find.