A Japanese wakizashi (shortsword), Meiji period, with slightly curved single-edged blade, the tang signed to both sides, the iron quatrelobed tsuba cast in relief and picked out in gilt with a Buddhistic lion, peonies and bamboo, the fabric bound sharkskin covered grip with bronzed copper fuchi, kashira and two menuki, all with cast decoration and gilt detail, blade length 45cm, with lacquered scabbard, total length 73cm (chips to blade and scabbard damaged).