Sword - Tamahagane - Japan - Mid Edo period
03
days
20
hours
21
minutes
53
seconds
Current bid
€ 390
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 900 - € 1,000
 | €390 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €50 | |
 | €1 |
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Description from the seller
A single piece ideal for first-time collectors of mid-Edo period, unsigned tanto (wakizashi) – a pocket knife blade. This piece is an unsigned short sword, judged to be from the mid-Edo period (18th century). With a length of about 19 cm, it is compact, and has long been cherished as a “kaiken” (pocket knife): a gracefully sized blade meant to be carried close at hand. It is offered at an affordable price and represents an excellent introductory item for someone handling a real Japanese sword for the first time.
Form, workmanship and condition
The blade is hira-zukuri (flat) with an iri-mune (boiled ridge) and a graceful, inward curve typical of antique wakizashi. The hada (grain) is a beautiful itame-hada (board-grained pattern), with good nie (temper) and a bright, clear shine. The hamon features a slightly open yakihaba near the monouchi, with a soft, hazy nioi-guchi and sunagashi (sand-kick) activity visible in the blade. For a blade of this size, the hamon is exceptionally varied and attractive. About 5 cm above the habaki there are three small rust marks remaining, but the ji and hamon remain sound and in good condition after sharpening.
The mounting
This item is housed in a shirasaya (white scabbard), which serves as traditional protective outer storage when the blade is not on display.
Specifications
Type: wakizashi / tanto
Mei: unsigned (ki-mune) – signed blade absent
Era: mid-Edo period (estimated 18th century)
Construction: hira-zukuri, iri-mune
Blade length: 19.0 cm
Sori: kei-sori (slight inward curvature)
Moto-haba: 21.3 mm
Moto-gata: 4.4 mm
Weight (blade only): 80 g
Registration & Legal Documentation
All blades we handle come with an official registration certificate issued by the Japanese government (Nihon no toki-ken toroku shou) indicating lawful registration of the blade within Japan. Note that this registration certificate does not certify or authenticate the blade-maker, inscription, or attribution to a particular artist.
A single piece ideal for first-time collectors of mid-Edo period, unsigned tanto (wakizashi) – a pocket knife blade. This piece is an unsigned short sword, judged to be from the mid-Edo period (18th century). With a length of about 19 cm, it is compact, and has long been cherished as a “kaiken” (pocket knife): a gracefully sized blade meant to be carried close at hand. It is offered at an affordable price and represents an excellent introductory item for someone handling a real Japanese sword for the first time.
Form, workmanship and condition
The blade is hira-zukuri (flat) with an iri-mune (boiled ridge) and a graceful, inward curve typical of antique wakizashi. The hada (grain) is a beautiful itame-hada (board-grained pattern), with good nie (temper) and a bright, clear shine. The hamon features a slightly open yakihaba near the monouchi, with a soft, hazy nioi-guchi and sunagashi (sand-kick) activity visible in the blade. For a blade of this size, the hamon is exceptionally varied and attractive. About 5 cm above the habaki there are three small rust marks remaining, but the ji and hamon remain sound and in good condition after sharpening.
The mounting
This item is housed in a shirasaya (white scabbard), which serves as traditional protective outer storage when the blade is not on display.
Specifications
Type: wakizashi / tanto
Mei: unsigned (ki-mune) – signed blade absent
Era: mid-Edo period (estimated 18th century)
Construction: hira-zukuri, iri-mune
Blade length: 19.0 cm
Sori: kei-sori (slight inward curvature)
Moto-haba: 21.3 mm
Moto-gata: 4.4 mm
Weight (blade only): 80 g
Registration & Legal Documentation
All blades we handle come with an official registration certificate issued by the Japanese government (Nihon no toki-ken toroku shou) indicating lawful registration of the blade within Japan. Note that this registration certificate does not certify or authenticate the blade-maker, inscription, or attribution to a particular artist.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Country of origin
Japan
Material
Tamahagane
Condition
Very good
Dynastic style/period
Mid Edo period
Provenance
Gallery / Antique dealer
Width
21.3 mm
Depth
4.4 mm
Sold with stand
No
Overall Length
19 cm
Estimated period
1700-1750
Sold by
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: Decorative and Martial Arts Use Only This item is offered for auction with the understanding that it is intended exclusively for decorative purposes or martial arts practice. By participating in this auction, you agree to: Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Ensure that your use of this item is consistent with the stated purposes. Please note that this item has not been inspected by Catawiki for safety or functionality. Catawiki does not condone illegal activities and is not responsible for any damage or injury resulting from the use or misuse of this item.
Disclaimer: Decorative and Martial Arts Use Only This item is offered for auction with the understanding that it is intended exclusively for decorative purposes or martial arts practice. By participating in this auction, you agree to: Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Ensure that your use of this item is consistent with the stated purposes. Please note that this item has not been inspected by Catawiki for safety or functionality. Catawiki does not condone illegal activities and is not responsible for any damage or injury resulting from the use or misuse of this item.
