Traditionally worn as a companion to the katana, the wakizashi's
shorter blade made it a weapon od choice for fighting
indoors .Built to rugged standards this
wakizashi with its 18-inch blade will stand on its own
as a deadly close quarters weapon or it will make an excellent
companion to its larger counterpart.
The wearing
of a pair of swords, or "daisho", became fashionable
during the Muromachi period (1392-1477) - the katana,
or long sword, and the wakizashi, or shorter companion
sword, were worn out of door. Indoors, the wakizashi was
worn at all times and kept by the bed at night. The samurai
lived inseparable from his sword, his most valued possession.
He walked armed every day of his life, sat armed at the
table, and went to bed armed.
In
all countries with a martial tradition the sword has been
elevated to a symbol of temporal power and justice, and
in many it has acquired a spiritual status. But in Japan
it is more than this. It has been described as the very
soul of the samurai.
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