Signed 16th Century Wakizashi in Samurai Mounts

The blade is approximately 20 inches long, with the sword having an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 31 inches. The blade is generally bright, with some old dirt, scratches, and smudges. The blade exhibits a wavy temper line. The grip is ray skin wrapped in the traditional fashion with dark brown silk tape. Beneath the tape on each side are figural menuki. The scabbard is orange lacquered wood with incised designs. The tsuba is iron, with a relief representation on both sides of a bamboo curtain. The tang has two holes and it is signed “Kanesada”. While a number of Japanese swordsmiths over the years used that name, the signature, signature style, and the quality and age of the sword indicate its creation by the smith named Kanesada who forged blades in the Meiō  era (1492-1501), the Bunki era (1501-1504), the Eisho era (1504-1521), and the Daiei Era (1521-1528).