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. 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 consists of two wakizashi-length blades. There are a number of possible reasons for this configuration, but since no information is available regarding the lineage of the blades, we can only speculate. Both blades are fitted with silver finished habaki, round iron tsuba with cut-through dragon themed designs, darkened flats, darkened copper fuchi and kashira with gold accented raised bird designs, blue cord wrap over white rayskin and silver accented horse themed menuki, and a maroon lacquer finished saya with blue and white cord wrap and a series of "maruni chigai takanoha" (crossed eagle feather) mon designs in raised gold lacquer. The crossed feathers are associated with a number of Japanese clans. Both blades are unsigned and are from the 19th century. 1) O-wakizashi sword, 33 inches overall with a 23 1/2 inch blade and a straight temper line, cloud themed copper accent plates on the habaki, and a shortened nakago with 2 mekugi-ana. 2) Wakizashi, 24 1/2 inches overall with a 17 1/2 inch blade, irregular hamon, plain silver accent paneled habaki, and a kogatana pocket on the saya (see 3). 3) Kogatana, 8 1/4 inches overall with a 4 1/2 inch blade and a gold accented copper handle with a raised dragon on the right side and a 2-line signature on the left.

1) Very fine. The blade shows excellent grain and a strong hamon, with a few chips in the edge, and some opening seams, chiefly visible on the left side on the lower third of the blade. Fittings are fair, with the left side accent panel on the habaki bending away, separation along the seam of the rayskin, and a dark patina on the tsuba. The seppa appear to be replacements from more than one donor weapon. The saya is very good, with some light scuffs and a few chips, cracks and signs of repair at the koiguchi. 2) Fine, with well defined grain, mild spotting, and a slightly faded hamon. The habaki and seppa show a number of dents and cracks, the rayskin is splitting, and the cord is fraying. The saya is very good, with a few light dents. 3) Good, with spotting on the blade and mild wear on the handle.