Nihonto Edo Wakizashi in koshirae

A Japanese wakizashi with strong formal presence, featuring a mumei blade from the mid-Edo period and a koshirae likewise from the mid-Edo period, forming a coherent, restrained, and technically well-resolved ensemble. The piece stands out for its classical balance of samurai functionality and aesthetic presence: a clean-lined blade with clearly legible hamon, and a mounting of iron and lacquer with strong character.

Documents (literal reading and translation)

銃砲刀剣類登録証
Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate.

登録記号番号 福島県第43870号
Registration number: Fukushima Prefecture No. 43870

刀剣類 / 種別：わきざし
Category / type: Wakizashi

長さ：50.6 cm
Blade length (nagasa): 50.6 cm

反り：1.2 cm
Curvature (sori): 1.2 cm

目くぎ穴：1個
Mekugi-ana: 1

銘文（表裏）：無銘
Signature / inscription (omote-ura): Mumei (unsigned)

昭和48年9月20日交付
Issue date: 20 September 1973 (Shōwa 48)

福島県教育委員会
Issuing authority: Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education

Smith, school, period, and context

The blade is registered as mumei, yet its overall configuration fits a mid-Edo period wakizashi, both in proportions and in the visual language of the tempering. It is a piece conceived within buke culture for real use and civil wear, with an efficient and well-balanced reading.

The koshirae, also from the mid-Edo period, follows the same logic: restrained materials, iron as the dominant medium, lacquer with strong character, and a solid overall execution—without excess, yet with refinement.

Blade

The blade presents a wakizashi sugata in shinogi-zukuri, with slender proportions, moderate curvature, and a very harmonious overall presence. The registered dimensions (50.6 cm) with 1.2 cm sori produce a fully classical silhouette for an Edo-period samurai wakizashi.

The hamon is the strongest visual feature of the piece: a regular rounded gunome-midare is clearly visible, running continuously along the edge with even rhythm and strong readability. The pattern carries a visually Mino-flavored impression through its orderly repetition of gunome, resulting in a clean and attractive appearance.

The jihada is currently partially veiled by old polish condition and surface wear, but the blade’s overall structure remains elegant and well-proportioned. The geometry retains good presence as a whole, and the profile line remains very pleasing.

The nakago is ubu, mumei, with one mekugi-ana, well-set old dark patina, and a rounded-looking termination. It presents a direct and honest reading, characteristic of an old blade preserved in traditional condition.

In overall condition, the blade shows old/tired polish, with surface oxidation and scattered staining, but preserves the essential elements that define the piece: a correct silhouette and a clearly visible hamon.

Koshirae and overall coherence (mid-Edo period)

The koshirae is one of the principal strengths of this wakizashi, not because of exuberance, but because of its historical and aesthetic coherence. The mounting clearly conveys a mid-Edo sensibility: iron as the main material, restrained decoration, and lacquer with personality.

The saya has a dark base with strong red mottling/speckling (a finish with high visual contrast), giving depth and lively surface response under light. The sageo in mustard/gold tone reinforces the color contrast without breaking the balance of the ensemble.

The tsuka is mounted with indigo-blue tsuka-ito over white samegawa with visible nodes, a classical and highly effective combination. The gilt menuki provide discreet highlights and integrate well with the rest of the mounting.

The fuchi-kashira set presents classical decorative work on a dark base, with linear vegetal/arabesque ornamentation, fully consistent with an Edo iron-mounted koshirae.

The tsuba, in iron and with lobed outline, has good visual mass and a dark brown patina well matched to the rest of the mounting. Its presence reinforces the restrained, martial character of the koshirae.

Final technical sheet

• Type: Wakizashi

• Signature (mei): Mumei (無銘 / unsigned)

• Blade period: Mid Edo

• Koshirae period: Mid Edo

• Torokusho: Fukushima No. 43870

• Torokusho issue date: 20/09/1973 (Shōwa 48)

• Nagasa: 50.6 cm

• Sori: 1.2 cm

• Mekugi-ana: 1

• Sugata: Shinogi-zukuri wakizashi

• Hamon: Regular rounded gunome-midare

• Nakago: Ubu, mumei, old patina

• Koshirae: Complete; dark saya with red mottling, mustard/gold sageo, indigo-blue tsuka-ito, white samegawa, iron tsuba, decorated fuchi-kashira

• Overall condition: Blade with old polish and surface wear; hamon clearly visible; solid and coherent mid-Edo period mounting