Sword Called Wakizashi - Japan - Edo Period (1603-1868)

SABRE known as Wakizashi
Japan - Edo period (1603-1868)
Steel, wood, lacquer, copper, horn, gold, shakudo
Nagasa: 39.4; Nakago: 12.2 cm
Sori: 0.9 cm


Hira Tsukuri blade, Mune Takashi, Hiro Suguha Hamon.
Yaki Zume Boshi.
Funa Gata Nakago and Ha Hagari Kuri Jiri.
Copper Daitsuki-niju-habaki.
Wooden Saya covered with black lacquer.
Kojiri, Kuri Gata and Koi Guchi in lacquered buffalo horn.
Shitodome in chiselled brass.
Tsuka ito in wood, covered with shagreen, braided with blue silk.
Kogatana with copper Kotsuka, chiselled with Ashinaga-tenaga in golden clothing – a pair of yōkai from Japanese folklore, composed of two complementary beings: Ashinaga-jin (足長人), with disproportionately long legs, and Tenaga-jin (手長人), with exceptionally long arms. They are first mentioned in the Japanese encyclopaedia Wakan Sansai Zue. When depicted together, they symbolise mutual aid and cooperation, each compensating for the other's limitations with their own abilities.
Iron menuki.
Iron tsuba mokko gata, chiselled with copper plum blossoms enhanced with gold, a bird flying above them; a stream is engraved on the reverse.
Copper fuchi engraved with a tree and a kakemono enhanced with shakudo and gold.
Kashira in copper chiselled with a Buddha whose earlobe is held by a small man.
Seppa in covered chiselled copper.

Ref.: 6419

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON