Wakizashi with Kikusui hamon
blade length 42cm, curvature 4mm, thickness at the base 7mm, width 3.1cm
The mark of Kikusui that means a chrysanthemum on small stream.
This mark was used by "KUSUNOKI Masashige" on his flag, who is a samurai in the early 14th century. He has been well known as very faithful man and didn't worry about death. Today his statue stands at the imperial palace. The mark Kikusui also is well known together with his story. In the Edo period (17th century), a hamon pattern that suggests the mark was developed.
On the hamon, the gather of choji near the starting suggests chrysanthemum, and the wavy pattern toward the kissaki suggests stream.
It is still on the stage of the Binsui stone. So it is a little difficult to take clear pictures of hamon.