Wakizashi thoughts

[Adam001]

I purchased this wakizashi recently and would not mind getting a few thoughts from the experts. I believe the tsuba was made by Furukawa Genchin (1716-1736). I dont know much about the mumei blade. The leather wrap on the saya looks similar to what I have seen from WW2 or is it as old as the blade? The story was the Grandfather brought it back from when he was stationed in Japan. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also what is that menuki?

[Adam001]

[Adam001]

[Shugyosha]

Hi Adam,

Unfortunately there's not an awful lot that can be said about an unsigned shinto wakizashi. For me the overall shape points towards it being made around Kanbun (1661 - 1673) but I can't hazard a guess at where it was made or the school. The shape of the nakago jiri might yield a clue though also looks like there's some nice activity in the hamon and if you were to play around with the lighting and post some better photos showing the activity there and in the boshi you might get some other pointers. If you have an uchiko ball you can use that as it might bring up some of the detail.

 

I agree with your reading of the tsuba signature. The menuki are Shishi dogs/ Foo dogs - they usually come in a pair and one is male and the other female and it looks like the handle has had a recent re-wrap as the thread looks new. The fittings overall don't look like wartime issue so my guess is that it was a civilian blade taken to war. The kashira (at the butt of the tsuka) looks in far better condition than the fuchi and tsuba though that is perhaps due to an uneven exposure to moisture whilst in storage.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_guardian_lions

 

There's some active red rust on the tang and I would try to neutralise that by wrapping it in an oil soaked cloth or paper and leaving it for a week or so. Remove the habaki as it looks like there's more rust under that. The large flakes of red rust should either come away with the cloth or paper or settle down into a colour similar to the rest of the tang. You can do this several times until the rust turns from red to dark brown or black. Don't rub the tang or use anything on it other than mineral oil however, as you don't want to remove the overall patina - just dab it dry with clean tissue when the rust has settled down. You can try this trick with the fuchi and tsuba too, but again be gentle and dab dry so as not to damage the good bits. The rust on the boshi is old and inactive (at least on the side in the photo you posted and you shouldn't do anything with this.

 

I hope that helps get you started and I'm sure you'll get some other views soon.

[Adam001]

4 hours ago, Shugyosha said:

There's some active red rust on the tang and I would try to neutralise that by wrapping it in an oil soaked cloth or paper and leaving it for a week or so. Remove the habaki as it looks like there's more rust under that. The large flakes of red rust should either come away with the cloth or paper or settle down into a colour similar to the rest of the tang. You can do this several times until the rust turns from red to dark brown or black. Don't rub the tang or use anything on it other than mineral oil however, as you don't want to remove the overall patina - just dab it dry with clean tissue when the rust has settled down. You can try this trick with the fuchi and tsuba too, but again be gentle and dab dry so as not to damage the good bits. The rust on the boshi is old and inactive (at least on the side in the photo you posted and you shouldn't do anything with this.

Thank you for the detailed information. I am very nervous messing with the tang. I know the active rust does need to be neutralized thou. The ishizuke also seems to be in pretty bad shape. Probably from the way it was stored as you said. Any clue how I can help it? I have read you can clean the tsuba with dove soap and a toothe brush. Even put it in your pants for a while would help. As I said I am very nervous and cautious.