Wakizashi
The wakizashi is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords worn by the samurai in feudal Japan. Its name refers to the practice of wearing it inserted through one's obi or sash at one's side, whereas the larger tachi sword was worn slung from a cord.
History
The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods:Jokotō Kotō Shintō Shinshintō GendaitōWakizashi have been in use as far back as the 15th or 16th century.
The term wakizashi did not originally specify swords of any official blade length and was an abbreviation of wakizashi no katana ; the term was applied to companion swords of all sizes.
However, it was not until the Edo period in 1638 when the rulers of Japan tried to regulate the types of swords and the social strata which were allowed to wear them that the lengths of katana and wakizashi were officially set.
Design
The wakizashi has a blade between in length. Wakizashi are not necessarily just a smaller version of the katana; they could be forged differently and have a different cross-section.Wakizashi were worn on the left side, secured to the waist sash.
Variants
Wakizashi close to the length of a katana are called ō-wakizashi.Wakizashi closer to the length of a tantō are called ko-wakizashi.
Usage
By samurai
The wakizashi was used as a backup or auxiliary sword; it was also used for close quarters fighting, to behead a defeated opponent and sometimes to commit seppuku.The wakizashi was one of several short swords available for use by samurai including the yoroi tōshi, and the chisa-katana.
During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate required samurai to wear Katana and shorter swords in pairs. These short swords were wakizashi and tanto, and wakizashi were mainly selected.
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 daishō, which translates literally as "big-little". Only samurai could wear the daishō: it represented their social power and personal honour.
Kanzan Satō, in his book titled The Japanese Sword, notes that there did not seem to be any particular need for the wakizashi and suggests that the wakizashi may have become more popular than the tantō because it was more suited for indoor fighting. He mentions the custom of leaving the katana at the door of a castle or palace when entering, while continuing to wear the wakizashi inside.