Sword - Tamahagane - Japan - Mid Edo period

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A wakizashi with a mid-Edo period mounts, estimated to be from that era, with an unsigned shinsaku-made blade and a period mount. It pairs a healthy, sturdy shinogi-zukuri blade with an elegant, heavy copper fuchi-kashira featuring the formal “Maru ni Mitsu Kashiwa” crest, making this a highly valuable piece for viewing and collection.

Export Clearance & Immediate Shipping
For overseas shipping of Japanese swords, procedures for the “Export Authentication Certificate for Antique Fine Arts” issued by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs are required, so typically it takes about 1–2 months from order to shipment. However, this item has already obtained the Agency’s authentication certificate, so there is no waiting time for procedures, and immediate (prompt) shipment is possible after the order is confirmed.

Form, Workmanship and condition
The blade is in a sharpened state and remains in sound condition. Along the habuchi (shinogi-ji) near the motohaba, there is about 4.8 cm of aged dark patina in a few spots, but no excessive sharpening has been performed, preserving the sword’s form and soundness, allowing you to appreciate the depth of history unique to period blades. The hada (grain) is a finely knit itame, with blades flowing evenly in flat plains.微細な地沸 (minor nie) gives the whole jihada a clear depth. The hamon is a calm suguba-like long straight blade with a soft, glossy nioi-guchi near the hamon. The blade features delicate kobuse and a nijūba-fū (double-line effect) running along the hamon with a faint clouding effect, and small nie scattered, presenting a simple yet deeply appreciable finish. The nakago retains a raw, unshortened shape (kuzuka is not present) kept in an ibo (unshortened) state, with natural patina and fine mounting beauty shaped by time. A dignified shinogi-ji, tight munen and a robust sense in the broad mihaba define the shinogi-zukuri wakizashi posture. Both the blade width and thickness are substantial, with a suitable tanto-sugi sori. The moment you handle it, you feel the weighty, imposing presence—an embodiment of Edo mid-period refinement and martial vigor.

The mounting
The kojiri at the scabbard tip uses a richly thick copper plate, and at the center is inscribed the noble crest “Maru ni Mitsu Kashiwa.” The three-mreir (three early leaves) symbolize prosperity and family lineage, as the new shoots grow while old leaves do not fall, making this a crest associated with esteemed lineages. The sturdy iron tsuba reflecting tactile metal, the finely decorated fuchi-kashira, and the crisp tsukamaki all exhibit a balanced, refined decoration that harmonizes with the overall piece.

Specifications
Kind: Wakizashi
Mei: Muchenkou (unsigned, raw nakago)
Era: Mid-Edo period
Construction: Shinogi-zukuri
Blade length: 45.4 cm
Sori: 0.5 cm
Moto width: 27.1 mm
Moto thickness: 6.2 mm
Weight (blade only): 400 g
Weight (without sheath): 680 g

Registration & Legal Documentation
All swords handled by our shop come with an official registration certificate (Nihon nojikiso Toroku-sho) issued by the Japanese government. This certifies that the blade is legally registered domestically. For export, surrender to the government is required, but all export procedures are handled by our shop. Note that this certificate does not certify the blade smith’s authenticity, inscription, or attribution to a particular maker.