^Lot 1709 JAPANESE WAKIZASHI.

This fine wakizashi measures 25 3/4" overall with an 18 1/2" blade that has a mostly straight hamon that undulates slightly near the tip. The blade has an interesting two step copper habaki. The tsuba is gold encrusted iron of a 4-lobed design. There are copper inserts in the blade channel, possibly from use with an earlier blade. There is a single seppa above and below the tsuba. The nakago has two mekugi-ana indicating remounting of an earlier blade. Matching black fuchi and kashira. Brown tsuka-ito with white same and gold encrusted menuki of an unknown style. The saya has an exceptional fish skin covering in general black and white colors. There is a small kogatana on the front with a silver inlay. The rear has an interesting large kogatana with a bamboo blade. There is an untied faded red sageo attached to the saya. CONDITION: The blade is in excellent polish with no notable flaws. The tsuka and the saya both show light wear. (02-25813/BF). $1500-2500.