and Katana is an integral part of that legacy. Unlike the wakizashi, which is clearly a short sword, nowhere near small enough to be considered anything less — the tantō is more of a dagger. It’s fully capable of retaining an edge while being tough enough to withstand a lot of pressure and... Disclaimer As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Suppose you are interested in purchasing an authentic Wakizashi. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-medrectangle-4-0')};The wakizashi was popular amongst the samurai as an indoor weapon, as longer swords such as katana and tachi are far too long and inconvenient for close up combat. While not as well-known as the katana, the wakizashi is a blade rich in history and was only wielded alongside the katana by the samurai class back in feudal Japan. These swords were so magnificent that they were viewed as being just as important as the samurai who wielded them. Usually made of bronze or iron known as the seppa. What is the Difference Between Wakizashi & Kodachi? The wakizashi is a unique sword, though having many similar relatives when compared to other nihontō. It is said that when a samurai was to be born, a katana was brought into the room to honor his welcome into the world. The blade is then clay-tempered in order to cool at a different rate than the rest of the sword. The style and craftsmanship of Katana have evolved throughout Japanese history. While not as well-known as the katana, the wakizashi is a blade rich in history and was only wielded alongside the katana by the samurai class back in feudal Japan. Certified Scrum Product Owner: What To Know And Who Can Become? The. Add to Cart Wishlist. The artistic swordsmiths follow the ancient custom of constructing grips utilizing elegant materials and distinct design elements. Discussion in 'Japanese Swords and Sword Arts' started by MI_martialist, Feb 28, 2016. What is the Difference Between the Wakizashi & Katana? The tsuba is then connected to the tsuka, or the handle of the blade by the fuchi — a small metal plate that signifies the end of the starting point of the wrapping that is put around the handle. Iaito, wakizashi, for Zaza model practice. It’s… When the samurai died, his sword was put alongside with him. According to some historians, the Wakizashi was comparable to the modern-day soldier’s pistol. The nature of the Wakizashi is to be a practical weapon with multiple uses. The range of the blade of the wakizashi is between 1 to 2 feet in length or 30-60 centimeters. The longer blade of a katana, however, was not suited to fighting in close quarters, especially indoors. Produce Read-Only or Write Protected USB Flash Drives with Nexcopy USB Duplicator Systems. The wakizashi has a blade between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in), with wakizashi close to the length of a katana being called o-wakizashi and wakizashi closer to tantō length being called ko-wakizashi. The katana was a symbol of power, integrity, honor, and skill, and the wakizashi was seen almost as being used only by samurai who failed to finish their opponent with their main weapon. The Wakizashi was designed to be an excellent companion sword and did not initially have a designated official size. Feb 28, 2016 #1. There are also numerous reproduction and fake Japanese swords on the market. Be sure to read Reproductions and Fakes. When a custom made Wakizashi is being produced, there is an opportunity to choose the type of steel, sword guard “Tsuba,” sword handle “Tsuka,” decorative engraving to incorporate, and even the type of wood that can be used to produce the handle. There are varying types of wakizashi, such as the ō-wakizashi which was similar in length to the katana. Though rare, certain tantō have 2 asymmetrical bladed sides. The Wakizashi (脇差) meaning "side inserted sword" is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (nihonto) worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan, it was used as a backup or auxiliary sword, it was also used for close quarters fighting. The sword has a habaki which is a small piece of metal that has 2 main functions: locking in the blades guard, known as a tsuba, and helping the sword lock into its saya or scabbard. The combination of this pair of swords was collectively called “Daisho.” The English translation of this Japanese term is “big-little.” The Katana was the Primary weapon and the Wakizashi the secondary. Wakizashi is a type of sword. To understand the differences between the wakizashi and the kodachi, one must first know what a kodachi even is in the first place. 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