Looking For Information On A Wakizashi

[Kmad]

Hi

I just purchased the following Wakizashi as part of a job lot in an auction. I wanted some of the ethnographic knives and this sword came as part of the lot. It is a nothing sword when compared to what I see on this forum so I apologise in advance.

I know it is what is know as a satsuma rebellion Wakizashi Of no great interest to true Japanese sword collectors it's 18 inch blade in terrible condition and worth practically nothing.

The tsuba seems of. Reasonable quantity though.

My question is on the two grey items tucked under the binding of the handle,

Are these items of any interest or significance to previous owner. The material feels very abrasive and I think brittle but I am only assuming this as I obviously do not want to push the matter. One of them has a small hole drilled or punched in it.

 

I appreciate any answers or corrections on the assumptions I have made in my opening paragraph. I will probably never be much of an asset to this forum but thanks for opertunity to ask questions on what I have

The item cost me nothing and it probably has made me money in education of the ever so complex world of Nihonto

 

Kind regards

Ken

I have another Wakizashi with some questions but I do not want to ask too much on my first post.

[ROKUJURO]

Ken,

welcome to the NMB forum!

The pictures don't tell much about the blade. The shape is not bad, so a closer in-hand inspection by an expert is necessary to find out more. The quantity of the TSUBA is o.k. There is rarely more than one going with one blade...  It has traits of the KINAI school, but it is not easy to judge with photos.

The MENUKI replacements might just be pebbles or flint stone pieces which is not so rare with this kind of mounting. It looks indeed like SATSUMA.

Please read here on the NMB about sword care and maintenance! You never know, there might be a master blade hidden under the dirt!  

[Dave R]

Fairly representative of the type and nicer than some I have seen.

[Greg F]

Hi Ken welcome to Nmb and nice little slice of history youve found there. Satsuma is what i think also. Nice Tsuba.

 

Greg

[Kmad]

Thank you all for the welcome and information.

I will endeavour to take better pictures of my other sword and post up in the next few days.

kind regards

Ken 

[Ken-Hawaii]

To help us in providing info to you, please take at least one non-angled shot of the completely-bare blade, as sugata is very important. Also, a shot of the boshi (tip back about 15 cm) will give us a lot of info, too. Welcome aboard!

 

Ken