Edo Period Ko-Wakizashi with Gold-Flecked Koshirae

Elegant Edo Period Ko-Wakizashi with Gold-Flecked Vermilion Koshirae

Mid-Edo Period, c. 1660–1750 · Mumei Short Sword

A beautifully dressed Edo-period ko-wakizashi, unsigned (mumei) and mounted in a striking gold-flecked vermilion koshirae. Compact, elegant and highly decorative, this short sword combines a vivid flowing hamon with a luxurious mounting designed for strong visual impact.

With its bright notare-midare temper line, refined hira-zukuri form and beautifully coordinated aikuchi / hamidashi-style mounting, this piece is especially appealing as a display sword for collectors who value both blade activity and refined Edo-period taste.

The Blade (Tōshin)

The true highlight of this sword is its superb hamon. The temper line flows boldly along the edge in a vivid notare-midare pattern, bright and clearly defined, catching the light beautifully under proper viewing conditions.

Worked mainly in nioi with scattered nie, the habuchi is luminous, crisp and highly attractive. This is the kind of hamon that immediately draws the eye and makes the blade especially rewarding to study.

The blade is constructed in hira-zukuri form with a mune back and a neat ko-kissaki. Its gentle curvature gives the sword a refined and graceful profile, close to the border between a compact wakizashi and a sunnobi-tantō.

The bōshi follows the rhythm of the hamon and turns back cleanly at the tip, while the jihada is finely forged in compact itame and ko-itame, showing a sound and clean steel surface.

The nakago is unsigned (mumei), with a single mekugi-ana and an attractive, healthy patina consistent with age and careful preservation.

The Koshirae

The sword is mounted in a high-quality, fully coordinated koshirae in elegant aikuchi / hamidashi style, with a very small guard. The overall effect is refined, luxurious and highly suitable for display.

The saya is finished in brilliant vermilion-orange lacquer, enriched with gold flecks in a nashiji and ishime-ji-style surface. This luminous lacquer work gives the mounting a rich and festive appearance, while the black horn fittings provide a strong and elegant contrast.

The tsuka is fully covered in pristine white ray skin (same-gawa) without cord wrapping, creating a clean and refined surface. It is set with a gold karajishi menuki, a powerful lion-dog motif associated with protection, courage and auspicious strength.

The small tsuba and fuchi are worked in dark iron and decorated in gold with clouds, a crescent moon and waves. This poetic composition creates a beautifully balanced visual theme, combining natural imagery with restrained elegance.

The kashira is made of polished black horn, while the sageo is a black braided cord, completing the mounting with a sober and harmonious finish.

Design and Aesthetic Character

This ko-wakizashi stands out for the contrast between the restrained elegance of the blade and the vivid richness of its mounting.

The gold-flecked vermilion lacquer immediately commands attention, while the white ray skin, gold karajishi menuki, black horn elements and dark iron fittings create a refined palette of colour and texture.

The decorative program is elegant rather than excessive: moon, clouds, waves and lion-dog imagery combine to create a mounting that is both poetic and martial.

Specifications (寸法)

• Classification: Wakizashi 脇指 / Ko-Wakizashi
• Signature: Mumei 無銘
• Period: Edo period, mid-Edo, c. 1660–1750
• Nagasa: 34.8 cm
• Sori: 0.6 cm
• Mekugi-ana: One
• Sugata: Hira-zukuri with mune back and ko-kissaki
• Hamon: Strong notare-midare in nioi with scattered nie
• Bōshi: Following the hamon and turning back cleanly
• Jihada: Fine itame / ko-itame
• Nakago: Mumei, one mekugi-ana, healthy patina
• Koshirae: Aikuchi / hamidashi style with gold-flecked vermilion saya
• Tsuka: White same-gawa with gold karajishi menuki
• Saya: Vermilion-orange lacquer with gold flecks, black horn fittings

Collector’s Value

This is an elegant and visually striking Edo-period short sword, combining a genuinely attractive hamon with a luxurious and well-coordinated mounting. Its compact size makes it easy to display, while the brightness of the blade and the richness of the koshirae give it strong decorative presence.

The piece is especially appealing for collectors seeking a complete sword with immediate visual impact, refined lacquer work and a blade that remains enjoyable to study under light.

With its dramatic notare-midare hamon, gold-flecked vermilion lacquer mounting and elegant Edo-period character, this mumei ko-wakizashi is a refined and eye-catching piece ready for display in any Japanese sword collection.