A Hamabe School wakizashi | Signed Toshizane | Edo period, 19th century

A Hamabe School wakizashi

Signed Toshizane

Edo period, 19^th century

Sugata [configuration]: shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, tori-zori, chu-kissaki

Kitae [forging pattern]: almost muji-hada

Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha into ko-choji gunome in fine ji-nie, bright nioiguchi, many ashi,

Boshi [tip]: Ko-maru boshi with turnback

Nakago [tang]: Ubu nakago, single mekugi-ana

Habaki [collar]: double-clad, gold on shakudo

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard] with sayagaki inscription

Koshirae [mount]: fine same-gawa koshirae, shakudo fuchi-kashira, finely carved with crashing waves, inlaid copper-gilt spray, the shakudo menuki in the form of a coiled-dragon suken, gilt details, the circular tsuba pierced with two three-clawed dragons, one grasping the sacred pearl, among tempestuous waters, gilt details

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 55.4 cm., 21⅞ in.

Saki-haba [width at the yokote]: 2.2 cm., ⅞ in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 3 cm., 1⅛ in.