A Japanese wakizashi

Fujiwara Kanekuni, Edo period, circa 1670

With a signature on the tang: "Ecchu no kami Fujiwara Kanekuni" ([Made by] Fujiwara Kanekuni of Ecchu region); blade with ko-midare hamon, itame hada, copper two piece habaki, ray skin tsuka with leather tsuka-ito.

Length: 27 1/4 in. (overall)

Length: 69.22 cm. (overall)

Provenance: Private collection, Connecticut.

Condition: Blade with scattered surface spotting, chips to boshi. Lacquer saya chipped and worn, missing kojiri and koiguchi. Tsuka missing fuchi and kashira.

Dimensions of blade: Length: 18 1/4 in.; Length: 46.3 cm.

Ecchu Kami Fujiwara (active 1661-1681) Kanekuni's secular name is 'Tsutsui Kyuzaemon'. He was a student of Osaka Tanba Kami school.

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