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Topic: Wakizashi


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In the News (Tue 10 Nov 09)

  
  Wakizashi
A wakizashi (Japanese: 脇差;) is a traditional Japanese sword with a shoto blade between 12 and 24 inches (between 30 and 60 cm, with an avarage of 50 cm), similar to but shorter than a katana, together with which it was often worn.
Wakizashi were made with different zukuri shapes and sizes, and were generally thinner than katana.
However, the wakizashi would be on his person at all times, and therefore, it made a sidearm for the samurai, similar to a soldier's use of a pistol.
www.xasa.com /wiki/en/wikipedia/w/wa/wakizashi.html   (229 words)

  
 NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Japanese sword
The weapon was typically paired with the wakizashi, a similarly made but shorter sword both worn by the members of the buke (bushi) warrior class, it could also be worn with the tanto, an even smaller similarly shaped blade.
The scabbard for a katana is referred to as a saya, and the handguard piece, often intricately designed as individual works of art especially in later years of the Edo period, was called the tsuba.
Wakizashi style sword mounting, Edo period, 19th century A wakizashi (Japanese: 脇差;) is a traditional Japanese sword with a shoto blade between 12 and 24 inches (between 30 and 60 cm, with an average of 50 cm), similar to but shorter than a katana but also quite longer than the kodachi.
www.nationmaster.com /encyclopedia/Japanese-sword   (1641 words)

  
 Spartanburg SC | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg Herald-Journal
The wakizashi was usually worn together with the katana by the samurai or swordsmen of feudal Japan.
However, the wakizashi would be worn at all times, and therefore, it constituted a side arm for the samurai (similar to a modern soldier's use of a pistol).
Contrary to popular belief, the wakizashi was not the sole tool used in the ritual suicide known as seppuku; this usage was also commonly assigned to the tantō.
www.goupstate.com /apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=NEWS&template=wiki&text=wakizashi   (701 words)

  
 NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Tachi
For instance, tachi that were shoto and closer in size to a wakizashi were called "kodachi".
The longest tachi (considered a 15th century odachi) in existence is more than 3.7 meters in total length (2.2m blade) but believed to be ceremonial.
As opposed to the traditional manner of wearing the katana, it was worn hung from the belt with cutting-edge down, and usually used by cavalry.
www.nationmaster.com /encyclopedia/Tachi   (1021 words)

  
 Sword Forum Magazine - Nihon-to - Wakizashi: The
This is due not only to the greater numbers of wakizashi available, but also due to the greater desirability of katana and tachi in the collectors market.
Mumei wakizashi also offer the collector the challenge and learning experience of trying to determine when it was made, by what school of swordsmiths and perhaps even the specific swordsmith who created the sword.
It is unfortunate that collectors often overlook the wakizashi for it is as much a part of Japanese sword study and lore as the greatest tachi or katana.
swordforum.com /swords/nihonto/wakizashi.html   (670 words)

  
 Wakizashi - L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
Where the katana is the symbol of the bushi, the wakizashi is a weapon that symbolizes the samurai as a social class.
Wakizashi are generally between 30 and 60 centimeters (one to two feet) in length, and carry a slightly curved blade similar to that of the katana.
The wakizashi is the only weapon that may be taken into the presence of the Emperor, in case the Emperor demands the seppuku of its bearer.
l5r.wikia.com /wiki/Wakizashi   (296 words)

  
 wakizashi@Everything2.com
A wakizashi is a Japanese sword, longer than a tanto and shorter than a katana.
The wakizashi is a short sword used in Japan as early as the 16th century.
If a wakizashi were made for a tall man it would be referred to as an o-wakizashi due to the extra length.
www.everything2.com /index.pl?node_id=467799   (378 words)

  
 By the Sword, Inc. Oriental Swords Page 3   (Site not responding. Last check: )
The tsuba of the Katana and Wakizashi is of flened and bronzed iron, with detailing in gold and silver and a battle scene decoration.
The tsuka-ito on the Katana and Wakizashi and the sageo on all three pieces are woven from Japanese cotton.
The Tsuba of the Katana and Wakizashi are made from flened iron, with a tiger inlaid in brass.
www.by-the-sword.com /acatalog/Oriental_Swords_Page_3.html   (1980 words)

  
 The Samurai: Weapons
The basic weapons that a samurai would use in battle are the katana, wakizashi, yumi, tanto, the naginata or the yari.
However, the wakizashi would be worn at all times, and therefore, it made a sidearm for the samurai (similar to a soldier's use of a pistol).
The samurai would have worn it from the time they awoke to the time they went to sleep.” The wakizashi was the sword they would use for seppuku the ritual suicide the samurai would engage in.
www.indiana.edu /~ealc100/Group13/weapons.html   (941 words)

  
 TherionArms - Bushido series wakizashi   (Site not responding. Last check: )
High quality same is used on the tsuka of the katana and wakizashi, while the tsuka of the tanto is a gold-plated brass with a battle-scene in relief.
The tsuba of the katana and wakizashi are of flened and bronzed iron, with detailing in gold and silver and a battle scene relief.
The tsuka-ito on the katana and wakizashi and the sageo on all three pieces are woven from premium Japanese cotton.
www.therionarms.com /reenact/therionarms_c697.html   (169 words)

  
 Wakizashi Information
I had the wakizashi judged at the 2006 NTHK Shinsa at the New York Token Kai where It was not certificated because of the fake signature (gimei).
The condition of wakizashi was found to be without flaws (kizu), in polish, and worthy of preserving.
The wakizashi was estimated to be the work of the smith Ansei Inshū Kanesaki of Inaba province.
mysite.verizon.net /vzeo23jk/id11.html   (194 words)

  
 The Wakizashi
The wakizashi was used as a samurai's weapon when the katana was unabailable at the time.
Placement was critical on the "Katana-kake," a rack where the katana was put the hilt of the sword must be pointing left so the samurai could pick it up with his left hand, put it in his right scabbard, and put it over his shoulder.
A samurai would wear it from when he woke up, to when he went to sleep, and he would sleep with the wakizashi under his pillow.
library.thinkquest.org /05aug/00716/wakizashi.html   (110 words)

  
 The Japanese Sword -- Part Two
It is usually worn in tandem with the next style, the wakizashi in a configuration known as daisho, the "pair of long and short swords" that distinguished the samurai from just some clown with a sword.
The wakizashi was a sword shorter than 60 cm but longer than 30 cm.
While the katana was for killing the enemy, the wakizashi was for killing oneself, in ritual seppuku, if one was dishonored.
www.suite101.com /article.cfm/japan_retired/42884/3   (535 words)

  
 The evolution of the Wakizashi. (Unbeliveably long!) (Sword Forum International)
For the sake of simplification, let's say that as a wakizashi I understand a shoto, that is, a weapon with a blade of a length between one and two shaku.
The wakizashi develops as an evolution of the tanto that fulfills its role as a close quarters weapon.
It seems that blades in the wakizashi range of length were quite rare before.
www.swordforum.com /nihonto/messages/456.html   (1490 words)

  
 Urban Dictionary: wakizashi
Carried by the samurai along with their long sword, the samurai were the only japanese residents to legally carry both the Katan and Wakizashi.
A Wakizashi's size usually ranges from 24 to 28 inches with a usually 18 inch blade.
A common name for a matching set of a Katana and Wakizashi is called a Daisho.
www.urbandictionary.com /define.php?term=wakizashi   (261 words)

  
 Paul Chen Bushido Wakizashi Sword
High quality ray skin (same) is used on the tsuka of the katana and wakizashi, while the tsuka of the tanto is a gold-plated brass with decoration in relief.
The tsuba of the katana and wakizashi is of flened and bronzed iron, with detailing in gold and silver and a battle scene decoration.
The katana and wakizashi blades are un-grooved, while the tanto blade is grooved (bo-hi) on both sides.
www.japaneseswords4samurai.com /pcbw.htm   (552 words)

  
 Spartanburg SC | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Since this sword was shorter than two shaku (about two feet) in length, it did not exceed the blade length limits of non-samurai during the Edo period and could be worn by merchants.
A kodachi's length is similar to that of the wakizashi, and though the blades differ greatly in construction, the kodachi and the wakizashi are similar enough in size and technique that the terms are sometimes (mis)used interchangeably.
While the kodachi was a set length, the wakizashi was forged to complement the height of its wielder or the length of the katana it was paired with, and thus varied.
www.goupstate.com /apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=NEWS&template=wiki&text=kodachi   (247 words)

  
 Samurai Swords - Wakizashi
The wakizashi was always carried along with the katana, to make a daisho or pair.
The katana-bearing samurai of the Genpei war period and the Warring States Era would never leave behind their wakizashi, which was often used as a backup weapon if the katana was lost or damaged.
The wakizashi came in handy when, at many times, the katana's length was a disadvantage.
www.angelfire.com /dragon/swords/wakizashi.html   (306 words)

  
 White Heron: Featuring Products by Last Legend, Paul Chen, Hanwei and More
This Wakizashi is the companion piece to the Golden Oriole Katana (1018-GT), with matching fittings and blade construction.
The tsuba of the Katana and Wakizashi is of flened iron, with an Orchid and Butterfly decoration inlaid in silver, brass and copper.
Shinto Wakizashi 1015-GT During the Muromachi period (1568-1603), the introduction of the pairing of the Katana (the curved sword) and Wakizashi was introduced.
whiteheronblades.com /paulchen.html   (2887 words)

  
 OBI Wrap with Wakizashi - Kendo World Forums
But, in the last samurai movie the Samurai were wearing their Wakizashi almost fully wrapped in their obi's on the outside of their armor, vertically.
The Wakizashi is inserted into the obi and because it is meant to be kept more to the front of the body than the Tachi it is somewhat more vertical in the obi.
In hakama and keikogi only the Katana is worn closer to the left side and horizontal and the wakizashi is inserted into the front of the obi to run from the upper outside thigh to the belly..
www.kendo-world.com /forum/showthread.php?t=11204&goto=nextnewest   (386 words)

  
 Paul Chen Miyamoto Musashi Wakizashi samurai sword 1017 - (eBay item 200159232391 end time Oct-13-07 12:24:45 PDT)
During the Muromachi period (1568-1603), the introduction of the pairing of the Daito (katana or long sword) and Wakizashi (short sword) was introduced.
The Wakizashi, or the shorter companion blade to the Daito, was about 18 inches long.
This Wakizashi (1017-GT) is the companion piece to the Musashi Miyamoto Daito (1016-GT) with matching fittings and blade construction.
cgi.ebay.com /Paul-Chen-Miyamoto-Musashi-Wakizashi-samurai-sword-1017_W0QQitemZ200159232391QQihZ010QQcategoryZ43338QQcmdZViewItem   (516 words)

  
 Wakizashi - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
La wakizashi (脇差 o 脇指) es una espada corta tradicional japonesa, con una longitud de entre 30 y 60 centímetros.
Sin embargo podía llevar consigo la wakizashi en todo momento, e incluso tenerla cerca mientras dormía para repeler cualquier agresión.
La wakizashi tenía por tanto una función análoga a las pistolas en las fuerzas armadas modernas, más efectiva en ámbitos civiles o paramilitares que en combate abierto.
es.wikipedia.org /wiki/Wakizashi   (358 words)

  
 HISTORICAL CLASSIFICATION OF WAKIZASHI AND THE TAXONOMY OF NIHON
Since after the end of Muromachi period, the rulers of Japan (e.g., Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Iyeyasu Tokugawa) began issuing a number of executive orders to regulate who were allowed to wear what type swords based mostly on ones ascription all in order to protect the power, status and prestige of the samurai class.
This was partially because many of those older laws had varying definitions of katana, wakizashi and tanto in terms of their lengths.
This law also specified the maximum "blade length" (again, measured in terms of the distance from ha-machi to kissaki) of katana to be 2 shaku 8 to 9 sun (= 84.84cm - 87.87cm), and wakizashi to be 1 shaku 8 sun to 9 sun (= 54.54cm - 57.57cm) (Kokubo, 1993; Ogasawara, 1994b).
www2.una.edu /Takeuchi/DrT_Jpn_Culture_files/Nihon_to_files/Historical_classification_of_wak.htm   (1487 words)

  
 Mino-den wakizashi for sale [Archive] - E-Budo.com
The blade is 14 ¾ inches long and has a nice gunome hamon with ashi running from each tani to the hasaki, and sunagashi the entire length of the blade.
The saya could easily be rebuilt, but I would build a new saya myself and keep this unusual saya as it is. I have tons of pictures I can send out so if you are interested please send me a PM with your email address and I will send them out to you.
07-20-2004, 05:45 PM One thing I forgot to mention is that this wakizashi has muneyaki, that is a thin strip of temper running the length of the mune.
www.e-budo.com /forum/archive/index.php/t-26995.html   (378 words)

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