Wakizashi, 57.2 cm, Japanese Samurai sword, attributed to Edo period (1648-1852)

Overall length: 572 mm = 57.2 cm = 22.5 inches

Length of the blade (nagasa) only: 476 mm = 47.6 cm = 18.75 inches;

Weight: 379 g;

SORI (curvature): 3.0 mm;

Nakago (tang): two holes;

Hamon effect: present to some extent;

TSUKA (handle): absent;

SAYA (scabbard): absent;

HABAKI (collar): absent;

Provenance: Private collection of arms in Florida.

Wakizashi (脇差, "side inserted [sword]"): A general term for a sword between one and two shaku long (30 cm and 60 cm in modern measurement), predominantly made after 1600. Generally it is the short blade that accompanies a katana in the traditional samurai daisho pairing of swords, but may be worn by classes other than the samurai as a single blade, also worn edge up as the katana. The name derives from the way the sword would be stuck at one's side through the obi (sash/belt).^[8]

Each Japanese sword is classified according to when the blade was made.:^[10]