Japan: Wakizashi japanese sword. Superb blade of the great master maker (izuminokami kinmichi) 和泉守金道 (signed on the tang). Signature on both sides. Several names handed down from father to son, the 1st (1595-1600), 2nd (1616-1660), 3rd (1646-90) or 4th (?- 1702) and 5th (1710-30). Clean edge throughout except for a few blows to the tip, traces of sharpening, temper line to be repeated. Length of blade including tang: 703 mm Length of cutting edge: 525 mm Edo period (1763 - 1868) Scabbard and handle added at the beginning of the 20th century when the sword was brought back as a souvenir by a French industrialist.