Sword, Scabbard, F91.8

Short sword - wakizashi. Hilt with rayskin wrapped with black cord - suspect that this wrapping is modern (perhaps using a bootlace) as it is very different from other wrappings, having more turns than usual and with only one cord rather than two. Gilded menuki (possibly flowers). Copper kashira and fuchi with a wood grain finish. Quatrefoil iron tsuba with pierced design of four hearts with openings for kozuka and kogai. Plain black lacquered scabbard somewhat chipped with two cracks in wood at mouth. Has kurikata but no cord. Openings in scabbard for both kozuka and kogai, but these are missing. Blade is in fairly good condition with much of the original finish present. Some pitting and discolouration. harmon (temper line) is a fairly straight line. No peg in hilt - tang is rusty with three holes and no inscription.

Locality: Japan