A MEIJI-PERIOD SHIKOMIZUE (ELITE SAMURAI CANE SWORD)
This sword was sold at The Okinawa Sword Show Vol. III
Overview (full text description follows photos)
Type: Shikomizue Wakizashi (Rare Samurai cane sword)
Location: Higo no Kuni (Kumamoto prefecture)
Item No.: ujwa035
Swordsmith: Unknown
Period: Blade (Kikuchi-yari): Bunmei era (circa 1469-1486) / Cane: Meiji period (1876-1900)
Length: Blade: 30.9cm / Cane (with sword concealed inside): 91cm
Curvature: 0.1cm
Hamon: Suguha (straight)
Habaki: Expertly crafted copper inlay
Included: Rare lacquered Samurai cane, shirasaya (magnolia wood scabbard), traditional katana carry bag, sword maintenance kit, illustrated maintenance guide, sword stand, full exportation support to send sword to home country
Photos (click for larger view)
*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan
Description:
During the heart of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), the Samurai class were banned from the carrying of swords by the Hito-Rei Edict of 1876. This attempt to end a thousand years of tradition was not received lightly by the proud warrior class and thus the shikomizue was born.
Shikomizue (or “prepared cane”) was a cleverly concealed Japanese sword inside an unsuspecting walking cane.
Shikomizue were carried by Japanese Samurai-class officials during the Meiji period as a solution to the ban.
This rare find is of beautifully black-lacquered wood with the top and bottom segments made of durable black water buffalo horn called Suigyu no Tsuno suggests the owner is of the most elite class of Samurai.
The few shikomizue known in existence are almost always made of a lesser-quality bamboo (click for examples). Replicas are unfortunately numerous and hold no artistic value.
A piece of this quality and in this condition is a truly remarkable discovery. Proudly carried by the very last known top Samurai in Japan.
The cane itself stands at 91cm tall.
Although the sword inside this Shikomizue is registered as a wakizashi, it is a highly-prized spear known as ‘Kukuchi Yari’. It is extremely well-made, featuring a decorative bo-hi (groove), and is about 31cm in length.
The kikuchi-yari has been certified by the NTHK (Nihon Token Hozon Kyokai – The Society for the Preservation of the Japan Sword). It has been given an estimated age from the Bunmei era (circa 1469).
Questions?
To request further information or secure ownership of this sword, please contact me, Pablo Kuntz.
For steps toward ownership including all payment options, visit 5 Easy Steps to Owning an Authentic Japanese Samurai Sword.
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Legal Exportation from Japan
Unique Japan has safely sent dozens of swords from Japan to countries all over the world. All legal exportation paperwork is included with every purchase. Please allow about 4 weeks for us to process and ship an order from Japan.