Watch List notes:

JAPANESE WAKIZASHI, hardened carbon steel blade, saya of black enamelled wood, at the top of the koiguchi is a bamboo wrap, there is provision in the saya for storing a small blade at one side, the tsuba is of voided bronze and above this is a black and gold highlighted fuchi, the handle is wrapped in sharkskin and over this is a black cotton ito wrapping, two alloy menuki are on each side of the handle and a bamboo mekugi secures the sword tang, the handle end is black with gold highlights, overall length 76.5cm, blade length 51.5cm. Some cracking to and a small loss of sharkskin, the bamboo wrap is loose on one side, otherwise very fine.

Research accompanying the wakizashi includes a colour image of the tang and Japanese text details show that the blade was made by Tomita Souemon 1684-1730 working in Settsu Province, trade name was Yasuhiro (Ref. Hawley, No. YAS-805).

Note: Licence to own required in State of Victoria, Australia.

No mail out for this lot, collection only from the Sydney Office, or buyer to make own arrangements.