Name/TitleJapanese Samurai Wakizashi Sword and Saya (Scabbard)
About this objectFolded Steel blade Samurai Wakizashi sword with floral decorated metal mounts. The Saya (scabbard) is of brown leather with decorated metal tip.
Japanese Wakizashi - WW2 Captured Weapon – Donated by Rev. Michael Bain.
The blade appears to have been cut down from a larger bladed weapon such as a Tachi or a Nodachi and it was mainly done since a wakizashi was handier and far more useful than a horse sword, this was also done with the Nagamaki or long sword.
Estimates for the Tsuba and other mounts are from the late 1600's to early 1700's. This was known as the Edo Period. Other known examples of other Tsuba and mounting pieces that are of very similar design and materials have been proven to have been made in Hikone 1695 to 1699.
The Edo period or Tokugawa period is between 1603 and 1867 in the history of Japan, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 Regional Daimyō.
The signature on the back part is translated as Eshu Hikone Jyu (Hikone is today’s Shiga Prefecture). This gives the region as to where Tsuba was made. Unfortunately, the swordsmith signature on the front is not readable because it is an old form of Japanese of which could not be translated.
Date MadeLate 1600 to Early 1700
Place MadeJapan
Place NotesHikone is today’s Shiga Prefecture.
Medium and MaterialsSteel, copper, Ray Skin, leather
