Wakizashi ? (your thoughts)

[SammyT]

Hello again,  my second posting on the forum and looking for your thoughts.   I picked up this blade today and what I am assuming is a Wakizashi.  Blade length is approximately 21 inches.   I am not a Japanese blade expert and am looking for your overall thoughts on it, particularly as to it being anything unique or special as well as age.

 

Also,  much appreciated to hear thoughts on value in its current state.  (feel free to PM me if you are not comfortable expressing publically)

 

 

Thank you for your time and thoughts.

 

 

Sammy T.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 11:53 PM by SammyT

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[Rivkin]

Hamon looks like late Muromachi Mino, Bizen or Kaga. I personally would lean a little bit towards Bizen. It is possible it has utsuri which is still visible in these photos.

[SammyT]

Thank you for your review Rivkin.   Being new and unfamiliar with Japanese blades and terminology I'm not quite sure what all that means.   Can you simplify for a beginner like me?

 

Sam

[ChrisW]

12 minutes ago, SammyT said:

Thank you for your review Rivkin.   Being new and unfamiliar with Japanese blades and terminology I'm not quite sure what all that means.   Can you simplify for a beginner like me?

 

Sam

 

The Muromachi period is 1336 to 1573. Kirill believes it belongs to the Bizen school, which is one of the five major blacksmithing traditions in Japan. Kaga is a minor school, which does not belong to any of the five large schools. 

Utsuri is a secondary shadowy "hamon" that follows above the hamon itself and is usually a key point in attributing it to Bizen school in the Muromachi period typically. The hamon is the temperline that you're seeing on the body of the blade. It represents the hardened portion of the blade itself, from the edge to the wavy pattern you see in the body of the blade.

The nakago reminds me of Kaga school blades, so my initial impression is that this is one of those.

Edited Saturday at 11:56 PM by ChrisW

[SammyT]

Chris W, thank you for the added information, that is very helpful to me.     Also,  I added in the blade length above just in case that is needed.  Length is approximately 21 inches.

 

 

Sam

[Robert S]

It looks like someone took sandpaper to it in an effort to eliminate rust.  Doesn't look to have caused too much damage, but it's unfortunate, as it will mean a future togishi will have more work to do.

[SammyT]

Based on the photos and information provided by the reviewers would anyone be able to give an approximate value in it's current condition?   

 

 

Sammy T

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Sam,

If it has been sanded or buffed (including the tang/nakago) it is an unsigned wakizashi with defects (pits/openings) mounted in shirasaya (sleeping or storage scabbard) that is falling apart and, consequently, it isn't worth much. Maybe $200 or $300 if you can find someone who doesn't know better. Even if not buffed it is no treasure.

Don't mean to be a downer but no sense sugar coating it. Nihonto is a fascinating field; you need to find a dealer you can trust to steer you towards better.

Grey

[Bruce Pennington]

Too bad about the openings in the steel, yet I bet this hamon would be stunning with a polish.  Don't know the terms, but you can get a lesser expensive polish that cleans the blade up a bit and brings out the beauty.  

For the record, I don't study nihonto, just commenting on the attractiveness of that hamon.

[Grey Doffin]

I have to disagree Bruce. Paying to polish (even less expensive: amateur polish) this sword will be throwing good money after bad. If Sam wants to study/appreciate Nihonto he should move on. If all he wants is a sharp, shiny trinket, he is there already.

Grey

[SammyT]

Thanks to all for the feedback and thoughts.    I appreciate the straight forward answers and opinions.   They are all very helpful to me and exactly what I was looking to achieve.

 

Sammy T