Another Japanese Wakizashi/ Samurai sword- last one- I promise

**John Brandon** · 07-06-2016, 03:45 PM

Good afternoon gents
Seeing as there is a wealth of knowledge from people who actually know, I thought I would post the last one that I have, for some opinions on date etc:

I bought this a couple of weeks ago, as an "untouched" sword. Looking at it you could say with certainty that it has been un-loved.

The wooden scabbard has split on the top with a piece missing, there is no "plug" and the blade is shorter than the scabbard by some 7 inches!! So is it a cut down Samurai or a Wakizashi- or a Katana- or a pile of poo

The Habaki is somewhat more ornate than I have seen before ( admittedly that's nothing to go by

) The Tsuba is not plain, but not ornate, the blade is signed, but is in need of a polish by a professional - not me!........ I believe the date of the blade to be the mid 1500's, I have been trying to learn but it is a painful process, and I've probably got that wrong.

So any help would be much appreciated by yours truly. This time I have tried to take the "correct" photos - full length blade - collar-tsuba- handle- signature-

Well at least it keeps you lot on the ball

**John Brandon** · 07-06-2016, 03:50 PM

A couple more shots

**BOB COLEMAN** · 07-06-2016, 03:57 PM

John-
The signature is Echizen no Kuni ju Kanehiro(Kanehiro, living in the province of Echizen). He is listed as being most productive during the Bunroku period which lasted from 1592-1596. The habaki is partial chrysanthimum . The tsuba is an unusual shape.

**John Brandon** · 07-06-2016, 04:37 PM

Thanks Bob, as always, your finger is on the pulse. I'm quite pleased as I got the date "nearly" right. It is a cut down? and if the Tsuba is a strange shape - what does that mean - good or bad - BTW I should be seeing Peter at the weekend

**BOB COLEMAN** · 07-06-2016, 04:41 PM

by John Brandon

Thanks Bob, as always, your finger is on the pulse. I'm quite pleased as I got the date "nearly" right. It is a cut down? and if the Tsuba is a strange shape - what does that mean - good or bad - BTW I should be seeing Peter at the weekend

John-
The blade is not cut down and is intact as made. As to the tsuba, unusual shape is neither good nor bad.
Regards,
Bob

**SteveR** · 07-06-2016, 05:01 PM

The split scabbard in an indication of being the blade being put into a scabbard that wasn't made for it. That is obvious from the blade being shorter than the saya.
Each sword has a different curve to it from the tempering process. Scabbards are made for individual blades.