1593 JAPANESE WAKIZASHI.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 500.00 USD
Estimated at 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Overall length: 24 3/4". Blade length: 16 3/4". The blade has a barely perceptible hamon, that appears to be primarily straight, with a copper habaki. There is one seppa above and below the iron tsuba that features gold-inlaid decoration depicting what might be a cricket or cockroach in a hat on one side and a sprig on the other. The nakago has two mekugi-ana, indicating use of an ancestral blade, and has a 5-character signature on one side. The elaborately embellished fuchi and matching kashira show gold-inlaid dragons on a blackened field. It is difficult to discern what the menuki portray but they are made of patinated brass. Black tsuka-ito with white same beneath. Wooden saya has a red and black speckled enamel finish with black highlights. CONDITION: blade has a very fine polish with some apparent forging flaws. Tsuba has a dark, oxidized patina. Tsuka shows light overall wear, as does the saya. (02-21144/BF). $1,000-1,500.