Wakizashi (脇差) A sword similar to
katana but it is shorter (blade between 12 and 24 inches). Often worn together with
katana. When worn together they were called
daisho. According to traditional
samurai law (
Bushido), it is used only to commit
hara-kiri.
After the 16th century it was sometimes used in the off hand to the
katana, a technique pioneered by
Miyamoto Musashi.
See also
katana,
tachi,
tsurugi.
Katana (top) and wakizashi (bottom)
