What is a Wakizashi?

Let's discover a lesser-known Japanese term, wakizashi. This weapon is not as popular as the famous katana, undoubtedly the most famous among the ninja or samurai weaponry, but it is equally important.

The wakizashi is a short sword that is also called shoto. It is a traditional Japanese sabre whose length ranges from 30 to 60 centimetres, depending on each case.

The shape of this traditional Japanese sabre is similar to the katana. However, among the differences, in addition to the length, we find that in this case the edge is thinner. What was accomplished with it? That the injuries it caused were much more severe and dangerous.

Daisho: the union of the wakizashi and the katana

In the past, every respectable samurai warrior carried two important bladed weapons, which were the long sword and the short sword. That is, these feudal fighters carried the katana and wakizashi, which together were known as Daisho.

The importance of the Daisho was essential in that time. The main weapon of the samurai has always been the katana. However, if the warrior was unarmed, he always had an extra defence, which was the wakizashi.

Remember that whenever a samurai entered a building, the katana had to be placed on a support located at the entrance. In this way, the warrior was armed at all times and did not feel unprotected in the event of an attack.

In fact, the wakizashi was allowed in any place and space, so that the samurai would fend off any aggression anywhere thanks to this short sabre.

This weapon is very manageable due to its small size, which is why it was ideal for defence in closed spaces where manoeuvring was more difficult. It was quickly drawn and ready for combat.

To conclude, let us remember that the wakizashi was widely used by ninjas, who substituted it for the ninjato, which is larger, and therefore less manageable.

Image courtesy of Chris 73