S122. Wakizashi signed Naminohira Yasuyuki and dated Showa Ni Nen Hachi Gatsu Kitsu Jitsu (a lucky day in August of 1313 (this is the earlier period named Showa)).

Nagasa: 19 5/8″ 49.7 cm.

Sori: .8 cm.

Moto Haba: 2.9 cm.

Moto Kasane: .6 cm.

Saki Haba: 1.8 cm.

Saki Kasane: .4 cm.

Nakago Nagasa: 13.5 cm.

Nakago Sori: .2 cm.

Overall length in koshirae: 28″ 71.5 cm.

Some of you are thinking I must be nuts to sell a 700 year old sword for $1,500; others are thinking I must be nuts because the 1st 19 1/2″ wakizashi was made about 100 years after this sword is dated. While both may be true, the latter is most true; 19 1/2″ wakizashi didn’t exist in 1313. This has to be gimei but it is a very nice package in spite of that. The blade is flawless and except for some light scratches and one nearly invisible fingernail catching nick on the edge above the habaki, it is in polish. The nioi guchi is bright, clear, and covered in ko-nie. The hamon is suguba with subtle hakaraki: sunagashi and koi-guchi gai-ba in the mono-uchi. The boshi is gently swept o-maru with a medium long kaeri. The hada is ko-itame and mokume in very fine ji-nie.

The koshirae is complete, in immaculate condition, and all in dragons. The kotsuka is 2 dragons in shakudo and gold on a shakudo nanako ground; the ko-gatana is signed. Menuki are dragons, gold, probably over copper, well carved and with great depth. Fuchi kashira are again shakudo and gold on a very fine nanako ground. The tsuba is iron, unsigned though possibly Kinai School and very well made. Other than for some tiny specks down at the bottom, the saya and its lacquer are 100% intact.

1 pound, 13 ounces. $1500.