Light Wood Shirasaya Wakizashi

Light Wood Shirasaya Wakizashi – Decorative Short Sword by Marto

Minimalism and the Hidden Blade

This wakizashi is crafted in the Shirasaya style (literally "white scabbard"). At first glance, the absence of a guard (tsuba) and decorative fittings stands out, allowing the beauty of the natural light wood to shine. Both the handle (tsuka) and scabbard (saya) are smoothly finished, pleasant to the touch, and adorned with subtle calligraphy/engraving that highlights the weapon's exotic inspiration. The entire structure is secured with traditional bamboo mekugi pegs.

The blade is made of high-quality X30Cr13 stainless steel and hardened to 48–52 HRC. To reduce weight and improve balance, it features a groove (bo-hi). You will find a Hamon line on the edge. To be completely transparent, on this model, it is not the result of traditional clay tempering but a mechanically created aesthetic finish. However, it looks very authentic and gives the sword the correct character.

Historical Context: Honour and Protection

The Wakizashi (literally "side inserted sword") was a short sword that, together with the long katana, formed a set called Daishō (big and little). While a samurai had to leave his katana at the entrance when visiting a house, he could keep the wakizashi at his belt as a symbol of his honour and a last line of defence. Interestingly, while only samurai were permitted to wear the katana, wakizashi of a legal length (ko-wakizashi) could also be carried by merchants and travellers (the chonin class) for protection against bandits. The Shirasaya style was primarily used for the long-term storage of the blade, allowing it to "breathe" and preventing rust, unlike lacquered battle mountings.

Usage and Safety Warning

Please bear in mind that this wakizashi is strictly a decorative item.

• Not for Contact Combat: The stainless steel blade is hard but more brittle than spring steel. It could snap under impact.
• Not for Cutting (Tameshigiri): The handle construction without a guard is not built for dynamic shocks.
• Safety: The lack of a guard means there is a risk of your hand slipping onto the blade during careless handling.

The product will serve you best displayed on a stand or as part of a costume where combat use is not required.

Care Instructions

To keep your wakizashi looking pristine for years, occasionally wipe the blade with a dry cloth to remove dust and fingerprints. Do not expose the wooden parts to extreme temperature changes or humidity. You can treat the wood with quality furniture wax to maintain its bright tone.

Specifications