Shadow Dancer Folded Steel Wakizashi (Naginata Blade Shape)

Despite its subdued look, this Shadow Dancer wakizashi is intriguing and distinctive due to its unique naginata zukuri (naginata polearm blade style) blade forged from folded steel. 

Popular during the late Heian and Kamakura periods (12th - 14th centuries), the naginata polearm was a brutal war weapon used primarily by infantry, sōhei (warrior monks), and samurai to take down opponents and charging warhorses with massive sweeping arcs. As Japan transitioned into the more peaceful Edo Period (1603 - 1867 CE), the ruling government banned the carrying of full-length battlefield polearms. Instead of melting these naginata blades down, they were remounted into katanas and wakizashi. 

Differentially heat treated and clay tempered, this wakizashi keen edge with a more flexible spine features a beautiful gunome (waves) hamon enhanced through hand polishing. An extensively refined premium bohi on the blade brings the center of gravity closer to the tsuba, reduces its overall weight, and minimizes surface drag for a better performing sword. The blade geometry combined with the absence of a yokote (transitional line separating the blade’s body from the tip) reduces resistance and allows the blade to excel at precision thrusting and slicing. 

This wakizashi comes equipped with premium mountings such as a Muji (plain) iron mokko gata (lobed-shape) tsuba, ribbed blackened brass fuchi and kashira, and gold-toned brass seppa and habaki. The blackened brass menuki feature double-layered sixteen-petal kiku (chrysanthemum), the supreme crest of the Japanese Emperor and Imperial Family, symbolizing longevity, health, and rejuvenation. 

One mekugi secures the full tang blade between the wooden halves of the Haichi-style tsuka covered with white genuine samegawa wrapped tightly using synthetic silk ito for a sturdy and stable grip. Hishigami (folded paper wedges) beneath the wrap with an optional upgrade to hishigami pro takes it even further by ensuring a rock-solid hold, crisp edge alignment feedback, and superior durability. 

This wakizashi is completed by an oil-lacquered saya with a brass shitodome and thickened sageo.