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Hello, thank you all. My computer broke down, and I just got the new one, hence my lack of replies. I'll try to make progress and will keep you updated. The nakago is dated and signed, as is the tsuka of the shirasaya.

Hello, A big thank you to OLI Thank you, I know all that about the gemai, I'm not worried about that possibility. I'm still hoping for a "testamentary blade"; if anyone has a way of finding the email address for the link Steve M shared, I'd be grateful. I'd like to try contacting this museum...

Hello Jean, thank you for the comment. However, I'm using automatic translation, so I'm not linking this translation, which added "(handguard)" on its own. I'll reiterate my question: why did Masa Hide create this wakizashi (apparently in two or three copies, to my knowledge)? Here is the mei (dark color) on my wakizashi and another mei found online (gray color) placed in practically the same position.

Hello, I've named this wakizashi "testamentary blade." The nakago (handguard) is signed and dated, as is the shirasaya (handguard). Ama Hide, 8th month of Bunsei 7. Suishinshi Masa Hide passed away on the 27th day of the 9th month of Bunsei 8. Here is a modern translation of the engraved text: The principle of sword making is clear, and I am not afraid to measure myself against the swordsmiths of old, but that doesn't mean I despise them. This art simply consists of bringing the iron to a perfect state by eliminating impurities through forging, and there's no point in obsessing over the temper line (the hamon). There is no doubt that the harmony of Yin and Yang makes the blade pure and sharp, and difficult to break. I've attached another photo found online of his signature, Ama Hide, placed in the same spot and truncated by the mekugi ana (handguard). It would be interesting to learn why he made this (these) blade(s)..

Hello everyone, thank you for your help. SteveM, a big thank you for the internet link. It is indeed from the same origin as my wakizashi; mine is dated: 8th month of Bunsei 7, the text is similar. Indeed, Masa Hide gave his name to his son and called himself Ama Hide (his son died three years later). Ama Hide died on the 27th day of the 9th month of Bunsei 8 (1825) at the age of 76. Here are some internet links about him. When I found this blade, I imagined it was a testamentary blade. https://www.nihontocraft.com/Suishinshi_Masahide.html