japanese sword / nihonto

The shikomizue (仕込み杖^?, literally "prepared cane") is a Japanese swordstick. It is most famous for its use by the fictional swordmaster Zatoichi.

The name shikomi-zue is actually the name of a type of mounting; the sword blade was placed in a cane-like mounting (tsue), to conceal the fact that it was a sword. These mountings are not to be confused with the Shirasaya mountings, which were just plain wooden mountings with no decorations.

Some shikomi-zue also concealed metsubushi, chains, hooks, and many other things. The shikomi-zue could be carried in public without arousing suspicion.

This particular style of shikomizue is finished in a Japanese cherry bark and lacquered. The finish is in extremely fine condition and very rare.

The sword is Katana sized and also rare to find mounted as a Shikomizue or cane sword. The sword appears to be koto and has a brilliant choji hamon almost reaching the shinogi at times. We believe it is an older Bizen blade and would be a great candidate for shinsa. An exceptional sword in length and girth for a cane mounting and quite beautiful on its own.

The Cherry wood Lacquer is in extremely nice condition and would be considered a work of art on its own. If you are looking for a sword in a rare style of mounting this is it!!