To go with your samurai sword, you’ll need a wakizashi. This Sword is also required to complete your fantastic collection of Samurai Swords. The blade of a wakizashi sword is thinner than that of a katana. It was designed for close-quarters combat.
The traditional symbol of a samurai was the Wakizashi paired with the katana carried together around the obi (belt). Daisho was the name given to this pair of swords that samurais used together. The warrior always carried the wakizashi sword, even though the katana was deposited at the castle entrance.
What Should You Know About Samurai Wakizashi?
In feudal times, the Wakizashi was a typical Japanese short sword carried by the samurai class. It was regarded as Daisho when used with a samurai sword. Daisho means “big-little” when translated. Warriors initially used it in Japan during the Edo Period.
The Wakizashi was an excellent close-quarters weapon. Warriors retired the samurai sword at the entrance of houses with attendants. However, samurais always held the Wakizashi sword with their person. Here are the top facts for this Sword.
The Core Functionality
Wakizashi Swords are also known as supplementary swords. When the katana was not available, warriors utilized them. They were, nevertheless, utilized on the battlefield alongside Katanas. The Samurais could maintain their foes at a reasonable distance of 2 meters when they used these two swords simultaneously.
Despite its lack of fame, the Wakizashi is a well-known blade with greater cultural significance than the samurai sword. Samurai warriors no longer use it as a sword nowadays. It is, nevertheless, utilized in swordplay. In current times, Wakizashi is utilized in aikido and ninjutsu styles of combat sports to demonstrate swordplay.
Legal Blade Length Rules
Swordsmiths in Japan used to have complete flexibility to make the Wakizashi with any blade length they wanted. The authorities regulated the blade thickness of the Wakizashi and other blades in the early 1800s.
Swordsmiths made these swords in a variety of lengths. In the 1800s, the blade thickness was standardized. Even back then, the Wakizashi blade length was a legal requirement in certain nations. It was also a blade length that persons from categories other than the warriors, such as merchants and tradespeople, could carry a sword for self-defense.
600-Year-Old Sword
It’s an absolute travesty to say that the Wakizashi is ancient. You may trace the roots of this ancient Japanese Sword back to the 15th or 16th centuries. Over time, the processes for producing the Wakizashi have changed. Producers initially fashioned this Sword out of low-carbon steel.
High-carbon steel was developed in Japan as forging processes advanced. This improved its general performance and toughness. As a result, high-quality Wakizashi swords are still available today. The Wakizashi Swords are from the 15th to 16th centuries. This means it has been in operation for more than 600 years.
Wakizashi and Katana
In many aspects, the katana and the Wakizashi are remarkably similar swords. They do, nonetheless, have particular distinctions, particularly in terms of how noblemen and samurai perceived them. When a warrior was about to be born, elders brought a katana into the chambers.
This Sword was to commemorate his arrival into the realm. People placed the samurai’s weapon beside him after he passed. Even in death, it was thought that a swordsman’s soul might be protected with the help of the katana. The Wakizashi was believed to be a commoner’s Sword, and even merchants could wield it. So, it was never granted the same place as a Katana, even though they were primarily used together.
