Wakizashi

The Wakizashi, also known as Shōtō, is a Japanese short sword, which is not only very similar to the katana, but was also worn with it on the obi, the kimono belt.  This kind of wearing is called "daishō", which literally translates to "big and small". Unlike the katana, the wakizashi could not only be worn by the samurai, but also by respected peasants, feudal noblemen and merchants.  

In addition to ritual tasks, the Wakizashi served as a backup sword when the katana broke in battle. Since the long sword was mostly dropped inside buildings, the wakizashi was used for battles in hallways and small rooms. Rarely was both the long sword and the short sword fought simultaneously. This technique originated from the head of the famous fighter Miyamoto Musashi.  

The production of the Wakizashis is very similar to that of the katana and has the typical features. The handle is made of ray skin and cotton, silk or leather. A blade with a length between 30 cm and 60 cm is usually made of carbon-rich steel and is attached to the handle by means of two bamboo pins. The stitch sheet is also very pronounced and can be stored in a wooden scabbard.