Type: Wakizashi Signature: 兼定 - Kanesada Length: nagasa 40.5 cm Hamon: Notare midare Polish: old polish
This wakizashi displays a robust and well-proportioned shinogi-zukuri with moderate torii-zori curvature and a short chu-kissaki. The boshi appears ko-maru, turning back modestly. The surface shows scuffs, light staining, and shallow scratches consistent with an abused wartime used state. The tip has snapped off at the very end. The blade retains its shape well, with an even edge line and healthy nakago.
This blade has seen quite a life in its service, an heirloom blade presumably pressed back into service for ww2 based on the fittings. The condition reflects that, with hard wear all around.
The koshirae is a matched wartime mounting in traditional style, with fittings showing coordinated craftsmanship. The fuchi is iron, with a hexagonal kikko-style pattern inlaid with small gilt stars, an elegant motif. The tsuka is wrapped in a faded brown-gold silk ito in hineri-maki style over samegawa that was once of a very high quality. The samegawa and tsukaito are heavily worn and missing in places, and the kashira has come loose and been lost. The menuki beneath the wrap appear to depict floral forms in gilt shakudo. The tsuba is a simple egg shaped iron plate (nagamaru-gata) with large hitsu-ana. There are traces of fine karakusa and floral curling nunome gogan in silver and gold, but most has worn away with tough use. The habaki is a plain brass example, slightly tarnished. The saya is lacquered in a dark chocolatey brown with flecks of mother of pearl scattered throughout providing an interesting flash of green and white in the dark lacquer. A ring has been fitted to the saya to allow uniform wear. The saya is now showing flaking lacquer and exposure of the wooden core, and a sort of cap hammered to the end of the saya. A cord wrap of black string is used to keep the saya from splitting further.
