 Wakizashi 脇差 (Japanese short sword)
The Japanese short sword is called a Wakizashi 脇差 or Kodachi
小太刀. These swords are used with one hand and were often worn as a
companion sword with a katana 刀 (Japanese long sword). A matched set of
katana and wakizashi are called a daisho. Only the samurai were allowed to
wear two swords in ancient Japan. Hanwei Forge makes matching wakizashi and tanto for many of their katana. The shinken blades are all
hand forged hi-carbon steel and are differentially tempered with a traditional
clay method. We also have a selection of un-sharpened iaito wakizashi
designed for safe practice.
- Shinken (真剣) Forged Wakizashi
- Shinken (真剣) Classic Wakizashi
- Shinken (真剣) Cold Steel Wakizashi
- Iaito (居合脇差 ) Wakizashi
- Price List
New Shinken Wakizashi
The "Three Wise Monkeys" is a popular symbol of the "See no evil, hear no
evil, speak no evil" proverb popular in many cultures around the world. The
proverb itself is thought to have originated in China and was brought to Japan
by a Buddhist monk, while the association with three monkeys appears to be a
Japanese play on words. The Three Monkey Wakizashi is built on traditional
Shinogi Zukuri style blades with Bo-Hi to reduce weight and improve balance. The
high-carbon blade is hand forged and differentially hardened. The blackened iron
Tsuba features the "Three Wise Monkeys" in relief. A matching katana is
also available to complete a daisho set.
In Japan the traditional method of serving tea is a celebrated art form in
itself. This highly ritualized ceremony is an involved process, the most
elaborate of which can last hours and is reserved for the most distinguished of
guests. The Tea Culture Daisho captures the essence of this important tradition.
The Katana and Wakizashi are built upon a traditional Shinogi Zukuri style blade
with Bo-Hi. The high-carbon blade is hand forged and differentially hardened
using the traditional clay method. The Koshirae (furniture) feature the typical
elements present in a Japanese tea ceremony. The handle is wrapped with suede
leather in a Katati Make (battle wrap) style.
The Paper Crane Daisho is without doubt the greatest achievement in sword
making artistry yet available from Hanwei. The blade is crafted from Hanwei's
own Tamahagane steel (see below) while the fittings reflect the atmosphere of
the Japanese theater. The Daisho's name stems from the origami (the art of paper
folding) cranes that decorate the striking Tsuba and Fuchi/Kashira, all of which
feature highly-prized "Nanako" or stippled backgrounds. The Menuki feature
thespian masks, a symbol shared by the Japanese theater and its western
counterpart. The Saya of the katana houses a Kozuka (small knife) while that of
the Wakizashi carries a Kogai (hair pick) The Kozuka and Kogai are decorated
with musical instruments of the theater. The Paper Crane theme is carried to the
outstanding hand woven silk Sageo, the result of many hours of skilled work on a
hand loom.
Shinken (真剣) Wakizashi
The Practical Wakizashi offers quality at a
great price. Blades are forged and differentially tempered to
producing an HRC60 edge and HRC40 back. The temper line is
authentic and prominent. Cost savings are effected by using
fittings which, while making no claims to authenticity, are very
strongly built to withstand the rigors of cutting exercises. It
is suitable for tameshigiri (test cutting) or kodachi kata.
The CAS Hanwei practical wakizashi fittings match the katana and
make a great daisho set.
Made as a companion piece for the Practical Plus Katana, the
Wakizashi features an edge-tempered high carbon forged steel blade with a
prominent hamon, genuine Same (Rayskin) on the Tsuka, and a handle wrap (Tsuka-Ito)
specially developed for its gripping qualities. The fittings of the Practical
Plus are decorated in a Japanese Dogwood motif with dragon menuki, and the
handsome Tsuba is of an iron "sunburst" design with a brass habaki.
It is suitable for tameshigiri (test cutting) or kodachi kata. The CAS
Iberia practical plus wakizashi fittings match the katana and make a great
daisho set.
The Great wave Wakizashi is stylized with the renowned Tomoe
motif. The tsuba, fuchi, & kashira are made of black iron and marked with the
Tomoe crest (mon). The blade is hand-forged from T10 high-carbon steel and are
differentially tempered using traditional claying methods. The temper line (hamon)
is evident and prominent. It has a deeply lacquered black saya with a one-piece
brass habaki. Real ray skin (same) is used on the tsuka, and the tsuka-ito and
sageo are made of premium woven Japanese black cotton. The wakizashi are
constructed with a large o-kissaki and is ideal for cutting exercises (tameshigiri)..
The CAS Hanwei tsunami wakizashi fittings match the katana and make a great
daisho set.
The Wind & Thunder Wakizashi is fitted with the black iron
Raiden tsuba and Tomoe motif fuchi and kashira. The handle is wrapped in genuine
same (ray skin) and the tsuka-ito is premium Japanese black cotton. The saya is
done in a traditional black lacquer and the sageo is also black cotton. This
sword is an excellent choice for those interested in batto-jutsu. It is
suitable for tameshigiri (test cutting) or kodachi kata. The CAS Hanwei
Wind and Thunder Wakizashi fittings match the katana and make a great daisho
set.
Bushido, or "Way of the Warrior", defines the code of conduct an honorable
Samurai must follow. Much more than the western ideal of chivalry Bushido is a
way of life; in both ancient and modern times. The koshirae of our Bushido set
features various samurai battle scenes. The blades of each are hand-forged and
folded from K120C powder steel. The saya are deeply lacquered in gold with
inlaid brass cherry blossom (sakura) flowers. 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 blackened 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 premium Japanese cotton. The fuchi and
kashira are of blackened bronze with brass detailing, and the kojiri, koiguchi
and kurikata are of polished buffalo horn. The habaki is a one-piece brass
construction. The katana and wakizashi blades are un-grooved. The katana and wakizashi have
medium-length (chu) kissaki.
The Warrior Series from Cold Steel are strong, good looking, and reasonably
priced. The Tsuba (guard), Fuchi (collar), and Kashira (pommel), are
expertly made and finely crafted in blackened brass. The Habaki
(blade collar) is hand made out of brass and each hilt is
covered in Same' (ray skin) and tightly wrapped in the
traditional style with black cord. A beautiful Menuki (a small
ornamental sculpture inserted between the ray skin and the cord
wrappings on the handle) enhances the sword's aesthetic
appearance and makes for a sword that is as traditional looking
as we can possibly make it. All feature fully sharpened 1055
carbon steel blades, each heat treated to a spring temper. The wakizashi has a 21" blade and 8 1/2"
handle.
Iaito (居合脇差 ) Wakizashi
The Nami, Gorin and Tsuru iaito are a breakthrough in design and
functionality. Made of a special stainless steel, they are much more durable
than aluminum alloy Iaito. Steel has the "feel" of a live blade and is not prone
to distort when making a practice cutting stroke. These very affordable practice
swords are the ideal training tools for safely practicing the ancient art of
Iaido.
The Nami, Gorin and Tsuru iaito are a breakthrough in design and
functionality. Made of a special stainless steel, they are much more durable
than aluminum alloy Iaito. Steel has the "feel" of a live blade and is not prone
to distort when making a practice cutting stroke. These very affordable practice
swords are the ideal training tools for safely practicing the ancient art of
Iaido.
The Nami, Gorin and Tsuru iaito are a breakthrough in design and
functionality. Made of a special stainless steel, they are much more durable
than aluminum alloy Iaito. Steel has the "feel" of a live blade and is not prone
to distort when making a practice cutting stroke. These very affordable practice
swords are the ideal training tools for safely practicing the ancient art of
Iaido.
We do not sell weapons to anyone under the age
of 18 without permission and consent of a parent or legal guardian. These are
real weapons and not toys. They are very sharp and should always be treated with
care. They are not prop weapons and are not designed to be used for theatrical
duels. They are not designed to cut down trees, cut through cinder blocks, stab
through cars, or any other torture test. Be careful to never put yourself or
anyone else in danger.
NihNihonzashi LLC, its employees, and associated companies are not responsibility
for an injury, damage or loss incurred by use or miss-use of any merchandise
sold on this site. It is the purchasers responsibility to comply to local, state
and federal laws and/or statutes. Purchase of merchandise implies agreement and
compliance to the above.
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Shinken (live blade) Wakizashi
Iaito (Unsharpened Practice) Wakizashi
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