Japan, Imperial. A Wakizashi with Scabbard

An ō-wakizashi, measuring 64.5 cm in total length including the tang, with a blade length of 50.0 cm from the tip to the hamachi (notch of sharp edge). The blade features a very sharp kissaki (point) with gentle sori (curvature) and sharp ha (cutting edge) with very minor scratches and imperfections throughout the blade. The short tang bears two mekugi-anas (rivet holes), and is unsigned. 

The two thin seppas (washers) sit between the throat of the blade and the iron tsuba, bearing a large kozuka hitsu ana and kogai hitsu ana (holes on each side). The tsuka (handle) is wood covered in samegawa (ray skin), wrapped in a rich dark blue ito (handle cord) with matching blackened copper fuchi and koshira depicting floral and leaf patterns, and a menuki (ornament) of a heron on each side under the ito. The Tsuka bears multiple sections of rayskin loss, cracks in the wood, and torn/split ito, with a single mekugi (peg) to attach the handle to the tang. This tskua may be a replacement for the blade, due to the longer length. 

Accompanied by a saya (scabbard) in very light wood covered in a ribbed pattern black lacquer with a korikata (knob) near the throat, measures 53.5 cm (l) x 4 cm (w), exhibiting a metal kojiri (end cap), with very few faults, in extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The wakizashi is a traditional Japanese short sword, typically measuring between 30–60 cm (12–24 inches) in blade length, and was worn by samurai alongside the katana as part of the daishō (paired swords). Used both as a secondary weapon and for indoor combat, it also held ceremonial and social significance, including its role in seppuku rituals. The wakizashi remained an important symbol of samurai status and martial culture throughout Japan’s feudal period.