Antique Japanese Wakizashi, unsigned (mumei) — mid-Edo period — ubu, in a period koshirae with a heavy copper kojiri bearing the "Maru ni Mitsu-gashiwa" family crest

Ubu, unsigned mid-Edo wakizashi in shinogi-zukuri · well-packed itame with flowing forging and ji-nie · calm suguha with ko-ashi, nijūba-like activity and ko-nie · complete in a dignified period mounting crested with three oak leaves

An ubu (original-length), unsigned (mumei) wakizashi judged to date from around the mid-Edo period, complete with its period mounting (koshirae). A healthy, trim shinogi-zukuri blade is paired with a high-toned jidai koshirae whose heavy copper kojiri (scabbard-end fitting) carries the dignified Maru ni Mitsu-gashiwa (three oak leaves within a circle) family crest — a piece of real appreciation and collection value.

Workmanship and condition

The blade is freshly polished and in sound condition. Along the shinogi ridge near the base there is a patch of aged black rust running about 4.8 cm — evidence that the sword was never over-polished, its shape and soundness deliberately preserved, and something to be enjoyed as the historical depth peculiar to an old blade. The jigane is an itame-hada with a standing tendency, well packed, showing fine, orderly flowing forging lines across the hira-ji; fine ji-nie lend a clear depth to the whole surface. The hamon is based on a calm, composed suguha, with a soft, moist nioiguchi along the boundary. Within the edge run delicate ko-ashi, and along the temper line appears a hazy, nijūba-like double-line activity together with fine ko-nie — simple at first glance, yet possessed of real depth for the viewer. The tang (nakago) remains ubu, never shortened by a later hand, retaining its natural age patina and the beauty of its original finish.

Form

A shinogi-zukuri wakizashi with a trim shinogi line, a tight mune (back), and a powerful mihaba. Both width and kasane are generous, with a moderate sori; the solid heft felt the moment it is taken in hand fully expresses both the refinement and the martial robustness of the mid-Edo period.

The koshirae

Copper kojiri with the "Maru ni Mitsu-gashiwa" crest: the kojiri that finishes the scabbard tip is made of thick, weighty copper, its center struck with the high-toned Maru ni Mitsu-gashiwa family crest. The three-oak-leaf (mitsu-gashiwa) device — because the old leaves do not fall until new buds appear — symbolizes the flourishing of descendants and the rising fortune of a house, a crest associated with families of note; its certain weight and presence convey the discernment of the samurai to this day. The mounting is rounded out by a plain, sturdy iron tsuba that makes the most of the texture of the iron, finely worked menuki, and a tight hilt wrap (tsuka-maki) — a harmonious and dignified ensemble throughout.

A refined mid-Edo blade shape, a healthy ground and edge alive with ji-nie, ashi and yō, and a substantial period koshirae set off by the Maru ni Mitsu-gashiwa crest — together they make this a highly attractive piece, for appreciation and for the collection alike.

Specifications

• Type: Wakizashi (shinogi-zukuri)
• Signature (mei): unsigned (mumei), ubu (un-shortened) tang
• Certification: none
• Period: Mid-Edo period (attributed)
• Jigane: well-packed itame with a standing tendency and flowing forging lines; fine ji-nie
• Hamon: calm suguha with soft, moist nioiguchi, ko-ashi, nijūba-like activity and ko-nie
• Blade length (nagasa): 45.4 cm / 17.87 in (about 1 shaku 5 sun)
• Curvature (sori): 0.5 cm
• Width at base (motohaba): 27.1 mm
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 6.2 mm
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 20.3 mm
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 4.5 mm
• Weight (blade only): 400 g
• Weight (without scabbard): 680 g
• Condition: freshly polished and sound; a ~4.8 cm patch of aged black rust along the shinogi near the base (blade deliberately not over-polished)
• Mounting: period koshirae — thick copper kojiri with the Maru ni Mitsu-gashiwa family crest, plain iron tsuba, worked menuki, tight tsuka-maki
• Torokushō (Japanese registration) No.: Tokyo 230610