An Absolutely Stunning Koto Period Mino Wakazashi Pure Gold Decor Fittings

Circa 1550, thus around 470 years old. Wonderful original Edo period koshirae, depicting flowers. Original Edo polish to the blade. Stunning matching koshirae all in shakudo and pure gold, kozuka to compliment also in shakudo and gold. Original Edo lacquer to the saya of two colour lightly surface carved lacquer [red and black] with slight hairline crack in the lacquer. A simply beautiful sword worthy of any fine collection, museum or display of fine Japanese object d'art. Wakizashi have been in use as far back as the 15th or 16th century. The wakizashi was used as a backup or auxiliary sword; it was also used for close quarters fighting, and also to behead a defeated opponent and sometimes to commit ritual suicide. The wakizashi was one of several short swords available for use by samurai including the yoroi toshi, the chisa-katana and the tanto. The term wakizashi did not originally specify swords of any official blade length and was an abbreviation of "wakizashi no katana" ("sword thrust at one's side"); the term was applied to companion swords of all sizes. It was not until the Edo period in 1638 when the rulers of Japan tried to regulate the types of swords and the social groups which were allowed to wear them that the lengths of katana and wakizashi were officially set.

Code: 23239