The Samurai sword has risen to be one of the most desirable military antiques in the market. The popularity is due in part to its use in movies, television and printed media. The vast majority of the swords found in the United States were brought back from Japan after the end of WWII.
The blade is the most valuable component of the sword. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to ensure it does not get damaged. For that purpose, swords would be encased in special wooden containers. Such as the one featured in this page. The blade would remain in storage until it was ready to be issued. At which point it would be outfitted with military or family fittings depending on the needs of the owner.
The sample shown here is a Wakisashi. The blade is hand-made and dates back to the early 1800's.
The Wakisashi was creted during the Momoyama period. It was designed to be the companion to the Katana. The purpose behind its creation was to have a weapon that could be used in more confined places, such as the room of a house. The Katana would be harder to manipulate in such places.
The blade shows some surface rusting and minor pitting to the edge. The temper line is not easily seen. It is important for sword owners to learn how to properly handle blades in order to avoid costly damage and value reduction. Some tips on how to handle Samurai blades include:
- DO not touch the blade. The hand contains oils that are damaging to the blade. Your fingerprints can be edged into it.
- Store in a dry place. Avoid placing in basements. They tend to retain humidity, potentially causing water damage.
- Clean the blade with a soft cotton rag.
This page is a recognition and identification guide for Samurai swords. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my Samurai Sword worth?". A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the swords is reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the edge weapons in the collector's market is illustrated.
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The tip shows some wear. The rust is likely to be a byproduct of improper storage. The rest ripling effect could have been caused by use. The blade has lost the Hamon. These marks were the signature of the swordsmith that created the blade.
Polishing may bring back some of the original characteristics of the blade. Polishing should be performed by a person with the proper training.
The blade of the sword is the most valuable part. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that no damage occurs to it. Blades were encased in wooden containers, such as the one illustrated here, as a means of safely storing it. At a later date the blade could be outfitted with military fittings or any other style of accessory to meet the user's needs.
This is a hand made Wakisashi blade. This sword was manufactured in the early 1800's.
The Wakisashi was developed during the Momoyama period. The intent was to create a weapon that was easier to manipulate in confined quarters, such as the room of a house. The Wakisashi was meant to be the companion of the Katana, which is a larger sword.
The Wakisashi had a length of up to 24 inches. Because it was a lighter and smaller weapon it was possible to wield it with a single hand. .
The blade shows some surface rusting but not in bad shape. The temper line still visible. This line is important because it was used by the maker as a form of signature. The shape of the temper can be used to identify the master who made the sword.
The Tang is not signed. Original rust is present (has not been cleaned). Two holes have been bored for handle-mounting purposes. Wooden pegs are used for this purpose.
The size and the shape of the Tang could help identify the school that made the blade.
The tip shows minor pitting and remains strong. No signs of improper sharpening are present. The blade still retains some of the original heat treatment. It is important that owners learn the basics of blade handling. This will avoid expensive damage and loss of value to the sword. Some basic tips include:
- Do not touch the blade
- Do not apply oil to the blade
- Store in a dry place
- Wipe the blade clean with a soft cotton rag.
This Samurai Sword may be currently reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the collectible.
If you have an interest is seeing other Japanese Samurai swords, you can do so by going to our Japanese Samurai Swords Guide identification guide. Where we cover Samurai swords from all periods