Wakizashi Scrimshaw Short Sword

[Sachem]

Hello,

Recently I acquired this Wakizashi scrimshaw samurai scene sword for my son. I am guessing 18th century. We have yet to figure out how to access the tang for a signature and do not want to harm it. I wonder with such scrimshaw craftsmenship if the artist did not also add a signature. I will attach photos and welcome any perceptions from members. Thank you.

[ROKUJURO]

Deyanne,

welcome on board the NMB!

What you have there is not a SAMURAI weapon but an item that was mostly made for the early Western tourists who came to Japan at the end of the 19th century. It is not a scrimshaw work but bone (in some cases ivory) carving, and it is well made. These purely decorative items mostly contain rather worthless blades, but there are exceptions.

Your pictures do not show if there is a pin (= MEKUGI) in the handle to secure the blade. In case you find one, please press it out from the side where it appears bigger. The blade should then come loose. Please do not touch it with your bare fingers, as this will cause rust. 

If there is nothing of that kind, the blade might be glued in, which would be a bad idea....In this case, there is not much hope that it could be a traditionally forged blade.

Depending on where you live in the States, there might be an expert NMB member near you  who will be happy to have a closer look at it.   

[Brian]

Deyanne,
Usually the swords with carved bone mounts are low quality items, intended for the late meiji period tourists and export market.
However, in rare cases the carving is better quality with fine details and can house good blades. Yours seems to be in the middle somewhere. The carving is good, with some detail.
I would still expect the blade to be mediocre, but it has a chance. Sadly many are glued into the mounts. You would need to carefully examine it and see if there is a pen somewhere in the tang.
I think start by taking some decent pics of the blade, tip and any visible temper line. Let's see if the blade reveals signs of quality.

[Sachem]

Does this help?

Also, were signatures a part of the bone/ivory craftsmenship?

[kissakai]

I think you need close ups of both sides of the handle

I bet it is glued in

 

[Sachem]

[Grey Doffin]

From what I can see, I bet the blade is either the working end of a broken katana that has been partially reshaped to erase the yokote (division line at the point) or something made quickly at the same time as the mounts were made. I agree that it is probably glued into the handle and there is nothing to be gained by trying to remove it (and the handle may get broken if you try).

Grey

[Brian]

I see the blades as being the latter of the 2 Grey mentioned. Basically rough, not forged or folded. Just a 100+ yr old export/tourist piece. Genuine Japanese though, and of some age. Just not a real "Japanese sword"

Agree it's likely glued in there.

[ROKUJURO]

3 hours ago, Sachem said:

....Also, were signatures a part of the bone/ivory craftsmanship?

 

Deyanne,

you are correct to ask this. Indeed, very good work from famous artists can bear signatures somewhere on the item, like you see them on good NETSUKE. However, many good artists lost their traditional profession by the end of the SAMURAI era (1878), and they tried to make a living by producing items like these. Their work was no longer seen as arts, but more as crafts, as they did repetitive work. 

Generally, we see a decline in quality in this period, as working time became a factor of production. If you could compare lacquerware from the EDO period with the same made for export at the end of the 19th century, you will see that very clearly.