We are pleased to present to you a wakizashi from the Koto period, which the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords has authenticated as a work of the Shikkake school.

The sword is well preserved, with no forging defects, chips, or rust, and is generally clean. There are a few marks that are evidence of forging, but they do not affect the appreciation of the sword. Hada is itame and shows chikei. Hamon is very spectacular with kognome overlapping the suguha. Hataraki such as yo and ashi can also be seen.

Although the sword itself is unsigned, judging from the shape, the condition of the nakago, and its characteristics, the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords recognized this piece in 2009 as a work by the late Shikkake school, and furthermore, judged it to be highly worthy of preservation for posterity, and had it appraised by Hozon.

The Shikkake school is one of the oldest Yamato-Den schools of Japanese sword gokaden, active from the late Kamakura period to the early Nanbokucho period. Its founder is said to have been Norinaga. The name “shikkake” is said to derive from the square base stone provided for the resting place of the portable shrine of Yamato Shrine.

This piece is also equipped with uchigatana koshirae. The metal fittings are from a more recent period than that in which the sword blade was made, but it is in the style of a martial tensho, with futuristic features such as tsukagashira made of buffalo horns.

It is a complete package, equipped with kozuka as well. In relatively good condition, yet with an old historical value, plus a certificate of authenticity, this wakizashi is well worth adding to your collection.

Act now by all means.

• Blade length: 55.0 cm
• Curvature: 1.2 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Sakihaba: 17.5 mm
• Motokasane: 3.8 mm
• Motohaba: 28.4 mm
• Motokasane: 5.5 mm
• Signature: No signature
• Era: Koto
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jitetsu: Itame
• Hamon: Suguha with Ko-gunome
• Nakago: Ubu
• Weight: 700 g(without Saya)
• Koshirae: Black silk Tsuka Tsumami-maki with Kuro-ro lacquered saya
• Original Registration No.: Miyagi 41260

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