A Good Antique Meiji Period Japanese 'Hidden' Sword Stick 'Shikome Zue' In Bamboo. Made In The Period When Traditional Samurai Warriors Were Banned From Wearing Swords in Japan, By the Haitō Edict in 1876

This is an antique Japanese sword stick called a shikomi-zue hidden sword. In the 1870's the Meiji Emperor disbanded the fuedal samurai order and banned the wearing of the sword. This created much unrest between the samurai and the government and some samurai moved to carrying shikome-zue hidden sword. Therefore, via a circuitous route, they still remain armed, but with their sword hidden from view. But by that way they felt, least in part, their honour remained intact. With a long and powerful blade. In ninjutsu shikomizue became quite popular, as it provided the night warriors with what they needed most – versatility, secrecy and mortality. The walking sticks were popular among all the classes and carrying it caused no suspicion. Combined with the impersonation skills, shikomizue was really a dangerous weapon attacking the enemy most suddenly. This is a good robust example, and would have been highly effective in its day. The blade is a long thrusting and parrying blade, without a dominant edge. The stick is fully bamboo with a bamboo root-ball handle. We show an 1817 Japanese print by Hokusai of his depiction of an all black clad warrior so called ninja climbing a rope, with what appears to be his shikome-zue hidden sword stick. Some shikome-zue have early smith made antique adapted blades from swords, this is a standard sword blade that was custom made for this cane when it was created in the 19th century. Overall grey steel with areas of pitting. 34.75 inches long overall, blade 28.25 inches This sword stick is also shown in the Japanese section item 23479

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Code: 24172