The classic picture of a samurai as a rule shows them with two swords: a major, curved one and a more modest one on their midsection. This way of employing two swords is called daisho, and that signifies “large-small” in Japanese. Each sword had its own job.
The daisho was a pair of swords made up of:
- Katana (刀): This was the longer sword, mainly used in battles and open areas. It had good reach and cutting ability.
- Wakizashi (脇差): This was the shorter sword, ideal for battling in close quarters inside or as a backup if the katana couldn’t be utilized.
Despite the fact that during the Edo time frame (1603-1868), the katana and wakizashi turned into the standard matching, initially, the daisho considered greater flexibility. Samurai in prior times could convey a tachi (太刀), a more extended sword for cavalry, alongside a tanto (短刀), a dagger-like weapon.
The samurai’s privilege to wear two swords extended beyond just combat functionality. After 1588, the daisho became a symbol of samurai class distinction. It represented their social status, discipline, and adherence to the bushido code of honor. In fact, the wakizashi could even be used for seppuku (切腹), a ritual suicide performed to uphold one’s honor.
While the iconic katana-wakizashi duo is widely associated with samurai, it’s essential to clarify some misconceptions:
- Not Exclusive to Samurai: Although most samurai carried a daisho, it wasn’t uncommon for non-samurai warriors to wield two swords as well. However, a law enacted in 1629 mandated samurai to wear daisho during official duties.
- No Need for Matching Sets: The katana and wakizashi didn’t always have to match. Samurai might possess swords crafted by different smiths or inherit mismatched pairs.
- Not a Lost Tradition: Despite the ban on the practice of daisho and public sword-carrying in modern Japan, the legacy of the samurai and the tradition of daisho continue to captivate people worldwide.
In my opinion these swords link perfectly with each other in a combat as they provide advantage in close format battle or in a battlefield. Having two different type of swords really help a lot in any case.
