【Important notes】 ・International buyers are responsible for any import duties, taxes, and charges not included in the item price or shipping cost. Please note that VAT paid to Catawiki is separate from and does not cover import duties or customs charges in your country. You may still be required to pay additional fees upon delivery, as determined by your local customs authorities. ・Damage and Issues: If you receive a damaged item, please contact us immediately. The damage must be reported to your local post office within 7 days of delivery, and promptly to us and Catawiki support. 【Important notes – Swords】 ・Please note that obtaining the necessary export permit for sword typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks, so kindly be aware of this timeline in advance. ・The following countries prohibit sword imports, so please refrain from bidding. (AUSTRIA, BELGIUM & the UNITED KINGDOM) ・The following countries can be shipped by airmail (GERMANY, FRANCE, POLAND, CROATIA & the UNITED STATES). All other destinations will be shipped by Japan Post seamail (lead time 3 to 4 months), as airlines refuse to carry swords. However, if you require faster delivery, air shipping may be possible through a different carrier for an additional fee, so please contact us. 【Product details】 This is a genuine Edo period wakizashi signed Bushū-jū Hiroshige (武州住廣重 – Hiroshige, resident of Bushū/Musashi Province), an accomplished swordsmith who worked in Musashi Province, now corresponding to the Tokyo and Saitama regions. The iron round sword guard features peony motifs executed in copper alloy inlays. Matching peony motifs are also present on the menuki, while the fuchi and kashira are decorated with similar peony and butterfly inlays on a shakudō nanako ground. The peony traditionally symbolises nobility, while the butterfly represents transformation and immortality in Japanese art. Nanako is a metalworking technique in which the surface is textured with extremely fine punched dots to create a uniform granular finish. The sword is accompanied by a full koshirae mounting and a purple silk storage bag. This sword comes with a photocopy of its Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate from Hyōgo Prefecture, number 32919, as the original will be returned to the government. The certificate details are as follows: Type: Wakizashi, Length: 45 cm, Curvature: 1 cm, with one peg hole, and an inscription reading "Bushū-jū Hiroshige" on the obverse, issued on 6 June, Showa 36 (1961). There are slight rust and minor scratches near the tip of the blade. The sword guard shows rust. The habaki has a chip and is loose, and the sword guard is not securely fixed. One side of the ray skin on the handle has a crack. The scabbard shows small dents, surface wear, scratches, and areas of lacquer loss. The metal fittings display patina. The handle wrapping shows staining. The storage bag is modern and in very good condition. Suitable for someone able to carry out maintenance. Please refer to the photos for details. Attribution provided for reference only, subject to authentication. Total length of the blade: 56.5 cm Total length including scabbard: 65.5 cm ・Please make sure to review all the provided information and images before placing your bid. ・We make every effort to accurately represent the product's colors and textures in our photos. However, due to differences in monitors and device displays, as well as photographic conditions, slight color variations between the photos and the actual product may occur. We ask for your understanding in advance. Thank you for your interest, and happy bidding!