This O-Wakizashi (long wakizashi) is presented in shira saya.
The tang is unsigned. The colour and condition of the tang indicate that the blade is, 19th Century at the latest and probably older.
The blade is in a reasonable state of original polish with marks and tarnish consistent with age and use. A professional re-polish will remove this. There is corrosion and pitting on one side of the kissaki and to remove it will require that the kissaki be re-shaped.
The blade is long for a Wakizashi, having a cutting edge (Nagasa) of 560mm. Wakizashi of this length were typical of the 15th and 16th Centuries. The curvature (Sori) of this blade is 22mm, which is again typical of blades of this period.
The tempered edge of the blade has a beautiful and active Notare hamon.
The two-piece blade collar (habaki) depicts what I believe is bamboo with a mountain backdrop. This is likely to be a Samurai clan crest or Mon and suggests that the wakizashi may have been owned by a person from a renowned family.
There were four major historical periods of Japanese sword production, Koto (700-1596), Shinto (1597-1876), Gendai (1877-end of World War II), and Shinsaku (the modern period).
I believe this O-wakizashi belongs to the Shinto period.
This is a beautiful example of an o-wakizashi that would be greatly enhanced by a professional re-pointing and polishing. The family mon on the habaki will aid in identifying the clan of the original owner and could narrow down the age of the sword.
