ANCIENT BLADE**Pre 1600 Mino Den Work Japanese Wakizashi Short Sword & Scabbard, Ko-Gatana Side Knife, Scabbard With Cord & Expert Assessment. Sn 17862 Swords

**ANCIENT BLADE**Pre 1600 Mino Den Work Japanese Wakizashi Short Sword & Scabbard, Ko-Gatana Side Knife, Scabbard With Cord & Expert Assessment. Sn 17862 - 17862

This is a Japanese Wakizashi with ancient blade. The sword has been examined by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg and a copy of his hand written notes accompany the sword. In extracts of his notes he states “An ancient Wakizashi blade, This blade has been shortened (cut down) from a larger sword, blade shoulders moved down and tang shaved and cut square removing any signature & original shape. It has also has a lot of re-polishing and sharpening over the centuries. The hamon has lost at least a third of original depth. The Hamachi is now non existent. It is very hard to judge its school of work, but it has a look of mino den pre 1600 workmanship. Very gentle sori (curve) only 7mm. It has been a quality blade now showing open grain and some kizu in places. In a 19th century Saya (some old repairs) in a basic black lacquer. Tsuba is late Edo (C1800), iron rounded square shape with gold running rabbit leaping over waves under silver moon (some missing), not in bad condition and nice patina, looks Nara school. Tsuka old Japanese re-bind in blue silk with gold arrow stitching good work. Finished with buffalo horn Kashira & Fuchi in soft metal showing plants & corn ears. Good quality menuki large birds possibly Heron in flight (gilt). The side knife has Gilt Rabbit & waves on the Kodjuka matching the tsuba from same workshop. A nice looking sword with ancient blade”. In his illustrations Bill states the blade cutting edge length as 17 ¾” and overall length as just under 21 ¼”. He also provides other measurements and blade characteristics which can be seen in image 2. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 17862

£1,100.00