Kodachi
Encyclopedia
A , literally translating into "small or short tachi
(sword)", is a Japan
ese sword
that is too long to be considered a dagger
but too short to be a long sword. Since this sword was less than 60 cm in length, it was of legal length to be carried by the chonin
class which included merchants (this was common when traveling due to the the risk of encountering bandits).
A kodachi's length is similar to that of the wakizashi
, and though the blades differ in construction, the kodachi and the wakizashi are similar enough in size and technique that the terms are sometimes 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. The kodachi also features greater curvature than a wakizashi, and typically has a longer handle.
Tachi
The is one type of traditional Japanese sword worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.-History and description:With a few exceptions katana and tachi can be distinguished from each other if signed, by the location of the signature on the tang...
(sword)", is a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
that is too long to be considered a dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
but too short to be a long sword. Since this sword was less than 60 cm in length, it was of legal length to be carried by the chonin
Chonin
was a social class that emerged in Japan during the early years of the Tokugawa period. The majority of chōnin were merchants, but some were craftsmen, as well. Nōmin were not considered chōnin...
class which included merchants (this was common when traveling due to the the risk of encountering bandits).
A kodachi's length is similar to that of the wakizashi
Wakizashi
The is one of the traditional Japanese swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan.-Description:...
, and though the blades differ in construction, the kodachi and the wakizashi are similar enough in size and technique that the terms are sometimes 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
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
it was paired with, and thus varied. The kodachi also features greater curvature than a wakizashi, and typically has a longer handle.
See also
- TantōTantoA is one of the traditional Japanese swords that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate...
- WakizashiWakizashiThe is one of the traditional Japanese swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan.-Description:...
- List of daggers
- Types of swordsTypes of swordsThis is a list of types of swords.The term sword is here used in a narrow sense. This is not a general list of bladed weapons and does not include the machete or similar "sword-like" weapons....