Japanese Wakizashi in Shirasaya 1500s . SJ325

Japanese Wakizashi in Shirasaya (scabbard in which to rest the sword blade). Portion of the black horn edge insert missing on one side. Two-hole nakago (tang). No signature I can read, it might be cut near end of tang. Two-piece habaki (blade collar). Blade in nice condition with nice slightly wavy temper line. Blade length approximately 21 1/4 inches and overall length approximately 27 inches. I believe this one is from 1500s and is either Murochi (1392-1572) or Momoyama (1573-1599) era.

Additional Notes: Wakizashi blades are typically between 12 inches to 24 inches or (30-60cm) or (between 1 and 2 shaku). The wakizashi (side inserted sword) is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (nihonto) worn by the samurai in feudal Japan. Its name refers to the practice of wearing it inserted through one’s obi or sash at one’s side, whereas the larger tachi sword was worn slung from a cord.

The shirasaya has another name, yasumesaya, which means a scabbard in which to rest the sword blade. The shirasaya is an unlacquered, untreated scabbard, so it has the wood’s property of absorbing humidity. This means that even in humid seasons, the sword blade is less likely to rust by absorbing the moisture inside the scabbard. The existence of shirasaya has in this way long played a very important role in preserving the blade of the Japanese sword in order to maintain its condition.

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