For your consideration are Antique and Vintage Wakizashi Sayas (3). Saya (?) is the Japanese term for a scabbard, and specifically refers to the scabbard for a sword or knife. The wakizashi being worn together with the katana was the official sign that the wearer was a samurai. When worn together the pair of swords were called daisho, which translates literally as "big-little". Only samurai could wear the daisho: it represented their social power and personal honour. Two of the saya are from the Edo Period, also known as the Tokugawa period of Japan, circa 1700s-1800s; the last saya is from the Taisho era, circa early 20th century. All three saya have the kurikata, a knob that is attached to the scabbard of a Japanese sword. The sageo (cord) that secures the saya of the sword to the obi (belt) goes through a hole in the kurikata. The saya (scabbard) is traditionally made of Honoki (Magnolia obovata) wood, lacquered with chestnut oil. High-gloss lacquer finishing on a saya is time-consuming and demanding. The longest of the Edo Period saya still has ample evidence of the original elegant finish still visible, similar to Togidashi Makie lacquerwork. Most of the original lacquer finish is gone on the shorter Edo Period saya and it is split in two halves along the original seam; longer Edo Period saya is exhibiting splits along the seams but is still intact. The Taisho era saya has a onyx black lacquer finish, is intact. All three saya exhibit wear commensurate from age and normal use. Longest saya measures 1.25"W x 21"L, shortest 1.5"W x 17.5"L, combined weight 10oz.