One of the most enduring symbols of the Japanese Samurai, the Daisho ("long-short") was a paired set of blades, traditionally worn with matching mountings. Though a few examples are known where both blades were produced as a set by a single smith, most samurai took blades from different smiths and outfitted them to match, much as a modern law enforcement officer would have a sidearm and a backup weapon from different manufacturers. The most typical combination was a katana (long enough to be of good use in open combat) with a wakizashi (a smaller weapon better suited for use in close quarters, such as inside buildings), while this set is a pair of wakizashi-length (12-24 inch) blades. No information was provided by the consignor regarding the lineage of the blades, so we can only speculate as to why the original owner chose this configuration. Both blades are fitted with silver habaki, gold-finished seppa, gilt six-lobed brass tsuba with darkened flats, darkened copper fuchi, blue cord wrap over white rayskin and gold accented horse themed menuki, and a green speckled black lacquer finished saya with white bone inlays. Both blades are unsigned. 1) O-wakizashi sword, 27 1/2 inches overall with a 19 1/4 inch blade and a straight temper line. 2) Ko-wakizashi, 19 1/2 inches overall with a 13 inch blade, straight temper line, golden horse ornament on the fuchi and a kogatana pocket on the saya with matching perforation on the tsuba.

1) Good, with blade shows some mild spotting, scattered dings, and some fading of the temper line. The kashira is absent, as is an ornament from the fuchi. The saya shows mild dings and areas of flaking lacquer. 2) Fair. Heavy spotting is present on the blade, with a strong temper line and some dents to the habaki. The mekugi is absent, and some material loss is present on the rayskin. Saya is good, with some flaking and chipping.