A signed Japanese wakizashi with a 21.125-inch nagasa, kept in plain shira saya storage mounts. The tang carries the mei Sasamori Masanobu, placing the smith in the Masanobu line, and the supplier reads the bold cutting of the signature as late Edo work. The temper line is a gunome-midare hamon with bright activity, the kissaki is well shaped with a healthy boshi, and the polish shows the steel clearly. Its length, curve and clean lines are typical of the Shin-Shintō period, which the supplier dates to the late 18th and 19th centuries.

At just over 21 inches this is a long wakizashi, the kind that paired with a katana, and it suits a South Carolina collector who wants a signed blade in sound polish without full koshirae. Shira saya mounts are for storage, so plan on a stand or a proper case for display. No papers are mentioned in the description, so weigh the attribution on the signature and the workmanship described.

Key features

• Wakizashi, 21.125-inch nagasa
• Signed Sasamori Masanobu on the tang
• Gunome-midare hamon, healthy boshi
• Shin-Shintō period work
• Plain shira saya storage mounts

It ships to your door in South Carolina with no FFL or permit involved.