The wakizashi (Japanese: 脇差, "side inserted sword"[1]) is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (nihontō)[2][3] 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.
Wakizashi (脇差)
Blade and mounting for a wakizashi. The blade was made by Soshu Fusamune. Blade, late 15th–early 16th century; mounting, 18th century. There were many different makers for the katana. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods:[4]
Jokotō (ancient swords, until around AD 900)
Kotō (old swords from around 900–1596)
Shintō (new swords 1596–1780)
Shinshintō (newer swords 1781–1876)
Gendaitō (modern or contemporary swords 1876–present)
The wakizashi has a blade between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in) in length.[1]Wakizashi close to the length of a katana are called ō-wakizashi and wakizashi closer to tantō length are called ko-wakizashi.[1]Wakizashi are not necessarily just a smaller version of the katana; they could be forged differently and have a different cross section.[5]
Wakizashi have been in use as far back as the 15th[6] or 16th century.[7] The wakizashi was used as a backup or auxiliary sword;[1] it was also used for close quarters fighting, to behead a defeated opponent[8] and sometimes to commit seppuku.[9] The wakizashi was one of several short swords available for use by samurai including the yoroi tōshi, and the chisa-katana. The term wakizashi did not originally specify swords of any official blade length[10] and was an abbreviation of wakizashi no katana ("sword thrust at one's side"); the term was applied to companion swords of all sizes.[11]
Antique Japanese daishō, the traditional pairing of two Japanese swords which were the symbol of the samurai, showing the traditional Japanese sword cases (koshirae) and the difference in size between the katana (bottom) and the smaller wakizashi (top).
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.[12] 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.[13][14][15] During this period, commoners were allowed to wear one legal-length ko-wakizashi, which made it popular for the general public to wear wakizashi. This was common when traveling because of the risk of encountering bandits.[16][17]Wakizashi were worn on the left side, secured to the waist sash (Uwa-obi or himo).[18][12] It was not until the Edo period in 1638 when the rulers of Japan tried to regulate the types of swords and the social groups which were allowed to wear them that the lengths of katana and wakizashi were officially set.[19]
Although the number of forged swords decreased in the Meiji period, many artistically excellent mountings were made. A wakizashi forged by Soshu Akihiro. Nanboku-chō period (top). Wakizashi mounting, Early Meiji period (bottom).
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.[20]
An antique Japanese wakizashi with koshirae and related parts, shown dis-assembled. The hamon (temper line) is clearly visible.
Wakisashi by Sanpin Masatoshi, early 1600s. The disassembled koshirae shows the tsuba (guard), the twin kōgai (hair pin) and the kozuka (small knife). On display at the British Museum.
^ abcdOgyû Sorai's Discourse on government (Seidan): an annotated translation, Sorai Ogyū, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 1999 p. 105
^The Development of Controversies: From the Early Modern Period to Online Discussion Forums, Volume 91 of Linguistic Insights. Studies in Language and Communication, Author Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, Publisher Peter Lang, 2008, ISBN978-3-03911-711-6 p. 150
^The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythology, Complete Idiot's Guides, Authors Evans Lansing Smith, Nathan Robert Brown, Publisher Penguin, 2008, ISBN978-1-59257-764-4 p. 144
^The Japanese sword, Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, 1983 p.68
^Mol, Serge (2003). Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts. Kodansha International. pp. 18–24. ISBN4-7700-2941-1.
^Ratti, Oscar; Westbrook, Adele (1973). Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan. Tuttle Publishing. p. 258. ISBN0-8048-1684-0.
^Taiho-jutsu: law and order in the age of the samurai, Don Cunningham, Tuttle Publishing, 2004 P,23
^The connoisseur's book of Japanese swords, Kōkan Nagayama, Kodansha International, 1998 P.48
^Secrets of the samurai: a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan, Oscar Ratti, Adele Westbrook, Tuttle Publishing, 1991 P.260
^The connoisseur's book of Japanese swords, Kōkan Nagayama, Kodansha International, 1998 P.35
^The Japanese sword, Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, 1983 P.68
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wakizashi, wakizashi, japanese, 脇差, side, inserted, sword, traditionally, made, japanese, swords, nihontō, worn, samurai, feudal, japan, name, refers, practice, wearing, inserted, through, sash, side, whereas, larger, tachi, sword, worn, slung, from, cord, 脇差,. The wakizashi Japanese 脇差 side inserted sword 1 is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords nihontō 2 3 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 Wakizashi 脇差 Blade and mounting for a wakizashi The blade was made by Soshu Fusamune Blade late 15th early 16th century mounting 18th century There were many different makers for the katana The Metropolitan Museum of ArtTypeSwordPlace of originJapanProduction historyProducedMuromachi period 1336 1573 to presentSpecificationsBlade lengthapprox 30 60 cm 12 24 in Blade typeCurved single edgedScabbard sheathLacquered wood Contents 1 History and use 2 Gallery 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory and use editThe production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods 4 Jokotō ancient swords until around AD 900 Kotō old swords from around 900 1596 Shintō new swords 1596 1780 Shinshintō newer swords 1781 1876 Gendaitō modern or contemporary swords 1876 present The wakizashi has a blade between 30 and 60 cm 12 and 24 in in length 1 Wakizashi close to the length of a katana are called ō wakizashi and wakizashi closer to tantō length are called ko wakizashi 1 Wakizashi are not necessarily just a smaller version of the katana they could be forged differently and have a different cross section 5 Wakizashi have been in use as far back as the 15th 6 or 16th century 7 The wakizashi was used as a backup or auxiliary sword 1 it was also used for close quarters fighting to behead a defeated opponent 8 and sometimes to commit seppuku 9 The wakizashi was one of several short swords available for use by samurai including the yoroi tōshi and the chisa katana The term wakizashi did not originally specify swords of any official blade length 10 and was an abbreviation of wakizashi no katana sword thrust at one s side the term was applied to companion swords of all sizes 11 nbsp Antique Japanese daishō the traditional pairing of two Japanese swords which were the symbol of the samurai showing the traditional Japanese sword cases koshirae and the difference in size between the katana bottom and the smaller wakizashi top 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 12 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 13 14 15 During this period commoners were allowed to wear one legal length ko wakizashi which made it popular for the general public to wear wakizashi This was common when traveling because of the risk of encountering bandits 16 17 Wakizashi were worn on the left side secured to the waist sash Uwa obi or himo 18 12 It was not until the Edo period in 1638 when the rulers of Japan tried to regulate the types of swords and the social groups which were allowed to wear them that the lengths of katana and wakizashi were officially set 19 nbsp Although the number of forged swords decreased in the Meiji period many artistically excellent mountings were made A wakizashi forged by Soshu Akihiro Nanboku chō period top Wakizashi mounting Early Meiji period bottom 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 20 Gallery edit nbsp Wakizashi Ishida Sadamune made by Sadamune Nanboku chō period Important Cultural Property Tokyo National Museum nbsp Wakizashi made by Osafune Motoshige Nanboku chō period Tokyo National Museum nbsp Wakizashi mounting The metal parts are made by Goto Ichijo Edo period Tokyo National Museum nbsp Wakizashi mounting Edo period Tokyo National Museum nbsp Wakizashi mounting Edo period The Metropolitan Museum of Art nbsp An antique Japanese wakizashi with koshirae and related parts shown dis assembled The hamon temper line is clearly visible nbsp Wakisashi by Sanpin Masatoshi early 1600s The disassembled koshirae shows the tsuba guard the twin kōgai hair pin and the kozuka small knife On display at the British Museum See also editJapanese sword mountings Ōdachi Kodachi Tachi Tsurugi KatanaReferences edit a b c d Ogyu Sorai s Discourse on government Seidan an annotated translation Sorai Ogyu Otto Harrassowitz Verlag 1999 p 105 The Development of Controversies From the Early Modern Period to Online Discussion Forums Volume 91 of Linguistic Insights Studies in Language and Communication Author Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani Publisher Peter Lang 2008 ISBN 978 3 03911 711 6 p 150 The Complete Idiot s Guide to World Mythology Complete Idiot s Guides Authors Evans Lansing Smith Nathan Robert Brown Publisher Penguin 2008 ISBN 978 1 59257 764 4 p 144 Transition of kotō shintō shinshintō and gendaitō Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World Samurai The Code of the Warrior Thomas Louis Tommy Ito Sterling Publishing Company Inc 2008 P 138 Samurai The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior Clive Sinclaire Globe Pequot 2004 P 87 Samurai The Code of the Warrior Thomas Louis Tommy Ito Sterling Publishing Company Inc 2008 P138 The encyclopedia of nineteenth century land warfare an illustrated world view Byron Farwell W W Norton amp Company 2001 P 240 A glossary of the construction decoration and use of arms and armor in all countries and in all times together with some closely related subjects George Cameron Stone Jack Brussel Pub 1961 P 201 Handbook to life in medieval and early modern Japan William E Deal Oxford University Press US 2007 P 158 Samurai warfare and the state in early medieval Japan Google eBook Karl Friday Psychology Press 2004 P 78 a b 歴史人 September 2020 pp 42 43 ASIN B08DGRWN98 The Japanese sword Kanzan Satō Kodansha International 1983 p 68 Mol Serge 2003 Classical weaponry of Japan special weapons and tactics of the martial arts Kodansha International pp 18 24 ISBN 4 7700 2941 1 Ratti Oscar Westbrook Adele 1973 Secrets of the samurai a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan Tuttle Publishing p 258 ISBN 0 8048 1684 0 Taiho jutsu law and order in the age of the samurai Don Cunningham Tuttle Publishing 2004 P 23 The connoisseur s book of Japanese swords Kōkan Nagayama Kodansha International 1998 P 48 Secrets of the samurai a survey of the martial arts of feudal Japan Oscar Ratti Adele Westbrook Tuttle Publishing 1991 P 260 The connoisseur s book of Japanese swords Kōkan Nagayama Kodansha International 1998 P 35 The Japanese sword Kanzan Satō Kodansha International 1983 P 68External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to wbr Wakizashi and wbr Nihonto Richard Stein s Japanese sword guide Wakizashi Japanese Sword Archived 2020 03 02 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wakizashi amp oldid 1226164977, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
