Identifying Wakizashi

[Daniel4]

Some time ago I came across this old and worn Wakizashi with some missing parts. I have no information that followed with the purchase regarding age, type or anything like that. However, after reading a lot on your forum I have found a deep interest in the history of these swords. The one i have, has become so much more mysterious, even its simple wrapping of the handle intrigues me.

If anyone here could help me in understanding what I have acquired I would be very grateful. Is the type of Wakizashi called something? what time in history was it used and where? What are those small Menuki figures supposed to depict? I cannot make them out.

Anything you can tell me with regards to its origin or point me in some direction on where to find more information would be very helpful.

 

I'm attaching some images below.

 

My best regards

Daniel

[Geraint]

Dear Daniel.

 

Welcome to NMB!  Your sword is probably a wakizashi, if the length from the tip or kissaki to the notch on the back of the blade is less than 600mms,  signed Echizen ju Shimoska Kanehiro, or 'made by Kanehiro in Echizen'.  Compare here, https://sword-auction.com/en/product/12328/as22091-脇差：越前国下坂兼廣（保存刀剣）/

 

This is a genuine Japanese sword, though the signature may be fake but in this case I doubt that, but it is in poor condition at the moment but whatever you do do nothing more than wipe it with some light oil at the moment, this will stabilise the sword and allow you to make good choices regarding restoration.

Better photographs of the fittings will help us, particularly both front and back of the menuki, the tsuba or sword guard and the habaki or blade collar.

 

From what we can see so far this is a sword that has had a hard life and someone has attempted to refit it so that it is a complete sword, it is missing a few fittings and some of what is there is questionable, more photographs will help us give you more information.

 

Looking forward to seeing some more of it.

 

All the best.

[Daniel4]

Thank you so much for your help, now I have a fantastic start.. Judging from your link, the signer was active in the late 1500-early 1600.. To be honest I was not expecting it to be anyway near that old..That is If it is genuine..

With regards to the fittings.. I believe you might be correct regarding refitting.. I added some new photos on them.. If you or anyone could tell me what they are supposed to be, animals, plants or maybe an urn with fire in it.. It would really add to the stories around it..

 

Do you think any of the fittings belonged to the original blade?

[Daniel4]

The complete sword is 610mm long.

The blade by itself is 555mm long.

[Geraint]

Dear Daniel.

 

Sooooo!  Thetsuba or guard is genuine and I think interesting, perhaps post a photo of it in the Tosogu section for more opinions.  The habaki is a recent refit as I think is the fuchi.  The menuki are not but rather one is a ltae pressing of a type turned out in the hundreds for export, one is perhaps a bonsai tree in a pot and the other a root vegetable, possibly a daikon, there might be a head between the legs of the daikon adding an erotic suggestion to it.

 

At 555mm this is a wakizashi, assuming that you measured from the tip to the notch at the start of the tang.  You have some choices to make but don't be in a rush.  If you do a search and find similar swords that are papered you will start to see how this could look but it is going to need a proper Japanese polish and be guided by those here who might know of trained polishers in Europe, please don't let anyone work on it who does not come with a a recommendation from members here.  For now wipe it down with a lint free cloth and a little light oil, watch your fingers!  Don't work on the tang, just you handling that will work.  

 

So much more to discover, enjoy the journey!

 

All the best.