Explanation of the "Wakizashi", the Samurai's Second Sword / Shogun, Types of Katana

In fact, samurai typically wore two Japanese swords at their waist. Of these two, the longer sword is called a "katana," the standard sword, and the shorter one is known as a "wakizashi."
00:00 What is Wakizashi ?
02:25 The Origins of the Wakizashi in Samurai History
04:04 The role of Wakizashi
09:16 The Famous Wakizashi "Namazuo Toushirou"
References
刀剣ワールド
www.touken-collection-nagoya....
www.touken-world.jp/tips/53769/
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《刀 号 一期一腰の大 銘 源清麿／嘉永元年八月日》　根津美術館　清麿展 －幕末の志士を魅了した名工－
KSB瀬戸内海放送,「ニッカリ青江」が約2年ぶりに公開！刀剣乱舞のパネルも　香川・丸亀市
【公式】香川県丸亀市, 名刀見参 京極家の宝刀 ニッカリ青江公開
The Last Samurai
X,香川県立ミュージアム
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IDENTITY,名刀四振が勢揃い！今年のゴールデンウィークは徳川美術館へ行こう
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ASCII.jp,「刀剣乱舞」がきっかけ？　特別展示のあの刀を早速見てきた！
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[@ptbot3294]

Remember it'd faster to draw the second sword than reloading your katana

[@xavierdraco33]

Thanks Gaz. SSDD

[@Shiftdougler]

You’re fruit killing skills are impressive

[@DjDoomtrain]

Showing up to late with a wooden katana is sometimes key

[@weikeongWK]

Wisdom

[@Toledotourbillion]

Thanks for including some facts about Miyamoto's use of the wakizashi during his combats.

[@user-pd9ch7hj6j]

I love this short sword more than the famous katana but I like short swords best thank you for this very educational video and have a good day😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊.

[@enriquescott2983]

Thank you for the tutorial I really enjoy it.I own Wakizashi and Tantou which I haven't displayed no one touches it but me

[@BlackCat-tc2tv]

Samurai were renowned for their skill with bow, spear, and polearms . On a battlefield the sword was a back up/last ditch weapon. Outside of battle it was a weapon of self defense or duels.

[@mathieuschmidtperformance]

Made my day! I love to start my day with your Videos ❤

[@sombra6153]

A most fascinating video on a most captivating topic. Most western blades that have survived the centuries are no where near as well preserved as the examples you highlighted, and fewer still have any real history behind them.

[@nancyfazenbaker3567]

Samurai used firearms too. Musashi even says in his writings "at distance the musket has no equal" here is one of the most well known samurai saying that so the statement carries alot of weight. From the moment the Dutch introduced muskets & gunpowder to the Japanese the samurai clans saw firearms as a very useful & valuable tool of war. Musashi and others knew that this new technology was the future of warfare.

[@jaypenha5352]

It was actually the Portuguese that introduced modern small arms to Japan. Also…Miyamoto Musashi, was actually a peasant. He survived the battle of Sekigahara, as an ashigaru, and in the wake of that battle, he taught himself swordsmanship and eventually challenged students from several kenjutsu dojo’s. That is how he gained fame. He actually killed most of his opponents with a bokudo(wooden sword). There is a famous novel written about him. He did not gain samurai status until decades after those events. He became a sword instructor for the Shogun late in life. Musashi was not born a samurai. He earned it much later in life.

[@randalbuhler9042]

I am a student of kendo and I've read the five rings and its original translation of miyamoto musashi and how he influences the modern world. My sensei Kenshi Nabashima came from a samurai family and one of the retainers wrote the Hagakuri otherwise known as hidden leaves and has inspired me to study the way of samurai. Your history video lessons honor the spirit of Japan and of the samurai, どうもありがとうございます‼️

[@kylehoyt3499]

I bet Randal.

[@alfonsedente9679]

You must first master the art of properly microwaving a hotpocket

[@randalbuhler9042]

@@kylehoyt3499 Believe as you choose. I would not do anything to Dishonor the History of the Samurai, my Sensei or Japan ‼️

[@kylehoyt3499]

@@randalbuhler9042 that's my randy, committed to the role! He's a real card.

[@enriquescott2983]

I owne Wakizashi and one Tanto probably displayed on my wall in my bedroom thank you for this tutorial on history on the swords look forward to watching and listening to your stories in the future

[@skydivingcomrade1648]

Mid range, close range, extremely close range

[@Zongsod]

What are amazing history about the katana and a wakizashi 💯🔥

[@aikineo]

1:34 Washizashi!))

[@rustomkanishka]

It looks like the Roman habit of wearing a pugio along with a gladius. Its always good to have a backup

[@RavenCodex]

The Katana Curve is only the effect of a well planned and executed special quenching process using differential quenching.. The curve is mostly Aesthetic and proof of the skill and tradition of the smith who made it and the social status of the person who possessed it. It is like a trade mark, the only way you get it is from the priest smiths who are trained in doing it. The primary Aesthetic of the curve is to capture the natural elegance of the droop of a Bamboo leaf.. The Japanese smiths of Tahome Steels were RELIGIOUS in nature, as is the process of making Tahome Steel bloom . Their skill were passed to each generation in the nature of religious practice and little technological understanding or innovation entered this process. In parallel in Japan of the same age of "Waring States" there were peoples who developed Iron and steel technologies where there was no practice of differential quench and the blade remained completely strait. Very often these peoples were of low status and or of outlaw status and the straightness of the blade revealed the outlaw status of its origin and the person who possessed it. Straightness of the blade did not prove a lesser killing power of blade. What you are arguing is Fascist Propaganda of Megi and Imperial era Japan, The Way of Budo . A document that Didn't even exist until 1903. And between 1903-1940 was forbidden to publish internal to Japan it was strictly intended for distribution to western audience to inform the western world of Japan's supposed deep warrior culture. All the while the richest highest status families of Japan trying to Bootstrap an agrarian, feudal Japan of the 18th century into a 20th century world stage state.

[@wahidulislam4453]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@HistoryofKatana]

🙏🤝🔥

[@raphlvlogs271]

the other way around a Wakizashi can be converted in to a Naginata head since Japanese Pole arms are typically tanged instead of socketed like European 1s

[@KesselRunner606]

"Whatr does Katana mean?" "It means _Japanese Sword."_

[@halorail]

Thanks

[@jthadcast]

6:26 what movie was this scene from?

[@tonybaloneycheeseandmacaro6131]

The Last Samurai (2003)

[@jthadcast]

@@tonybaloneycheeseandmacaro6131 thanks

[@jthadcast]

@@tonybaloneycheeseandmacaro6131 thanks

[@JohyeahM]

@@tonybaloneycheeseandmacaro6131 A deleted scene? I've just quickly scanned through it, and it's not in it from what I just watched.

[@tonybaloneycheeseandmacaro6131]

@@JohyeahM Yes, a deleted scene. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp3OYmhvacmfr8U

[@NIRVANABLEACH2]

I thought it was to peel potatoes.

[@1.5men]

"Two is one and one is. none".

[@Embassy_of_Jupiter]

What is a gappernis?

[@simchabaruch7023]

Ah so

[@truestcause]

10:11 wow nice armour made from reeds or something..

[@Li.Siyuan]

1. It's not true that a tantō always has no tsuba (guard). If it doesn't, it is called a tantō with an aikuchi mount. Most tantō do have a tsuba. 2. Technically speaking, the sword longer in length than a wakizashi is called an 'uchi katana'. Katana means 'sword', or really, any bladed weapon.

[@mikemckague9506]

Before the wakizashi was the kodachi

[@Femto..]

Nope, kodachi was a sword with the same lenght as a wakizashi but the tsuka was for 2 hands. It was used by non samurais or kids for exercise, or just small people.

[@mikemckague9506]

@Femto.. from what I know the kodachi is more curved like a tachi and was used during the same time

[@Femto..]

@@mikemckague9506 same time and yes it was more curved but too long to be a short sword and too short to be a long one, so it was useless for a samurai.

[@xavierdraco33]

Wasn’t so they could use it in tight spaces?

[@warrenstanford7240]

Is the long sword not a tachi ? 🤔

[@TheObeyMayhem]

Wakizashi ,O-Wakizashi, Katana, O-Katana, Tachi, O-Tachi

[@thetoneknob4493]

ive seen wakizashi that wer 15-17 inches long but had around 2cm of sori..much more curvature that a average katana.. this is an interesting topic as both the ko-dachi and uchigatana overlap with wakizashi. and big tanto around 30cm in length. so its not a simple topic. i collect wakizashi mostly and its fair to say some wer made for show and some wer made to chop and lop off limbs like its nothing...so its hard to say anything definitively. the period of manufacture has some significance, theirs alot to consider. the older the blade the less likely it was to be referred to as wakizashi.

[@michaelrs8010]

If you look at the 1891 standardization of a shaku the measurements of the narrator are a little off. One shaku being standardized at 30.3 cm (11.92 inches) With wakizashi supposedly being at or over one shakou up to two shaku or 60.6 cm (23.85 inches). With Katana starting at over two shakou. However prior to 1891 the shakou was not standardized so length of a shaku in the South could be different than the North or any other local areas. So if somebody showed up with a wakizashi to that was 1.7 shaku (51.5 cm or 20.2 in.) their's might be noticeably longer or shorter than the next guy who showed up with a 1.7 shaku wakizashi from his region of Japan.

[@DAlienzombie]

Horses got limbs too. I' d rather shave my whole head.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

Dai-to, Sho-to, Tan-to. All dependant on the blade length. Apart from the "used on the battle feild" stuff, (because in armour, in a battle, you'd use a spear, polearm, bow or gun as your main weapon), this isn't bad. At least for the peaceful Edo Period.

[@cjclark1208]

What I do know is that’s the ritual send yourself to the nether realm sword, non negotiable.

[@MarcLombart]

Samurai only used their swords on the bsttlefield when too close to use their bows and they had lost their spears. Swords were not considered battle weapoms.

[@user-zk1ol4dj7y]

Samurai of Kirisutegomenn ,exist low

[@franciscotoledo0007]

Most of the world don't use inches

[@rob6850]

Veritasium just put out a great video on how samurai swords are made.

[@suhribzevolution645]

I like wakizashi than Katana

[@helmhamerhand733]

Inches? Come on…..

[@1robbies6]

I don't understand those people who dislaked this video....?

[@YedolfWesler]

These warriors had to master their weapons. Guns are equalizers.

[@tobyhorn9641]

Yes but I am a master of the the gun

[@anthonybird546]

They trained with guns too.

[@fearthehoneybadger]

The samurai banned all firearms at one time. Not for safety for the people, but to keep the people subservient to the ruling class.

[@Heatx79]

A gun master will still destroy a nooblet

[@anthonybird546]

The Tokugawa continued to purchase firearms from the Dutch and had 200 gunsmiths during the Edo period. There weren't firearms in civilian control but that doesn't mean they didn't keep them for military purposes, which they did.

[@user-yi7ls1xb8h]

no...my "golok gobang" is cheaper..and disposable + a kris + twin pemaje

[@email4664]

weakness is familiar with you

[@user-yi7ls1xb8h]

@@email4664 history tells differnt...my people used these against dutch during colonization time

[@walkerck]

Seems to me a katana is too long to be use-able in tight quarters, hence the need for a second, shorter blade.

[@ironhornforge7970]

Incorrect information about the curvature killing ability. The curvature helps in drawing the blade quickly, that is why tachi and katana have a greater sori (curvature) than is usually found on the wakizashi. Also not all people were permitted to wear wakizashi that weren't samurai, the merchants were along with artists ect but peasants weren't, they were also unlikely to be able to afford to commission one if they were permitted.

[@jacobharris3208]

It's neither "killing ability" or allowing to "draw quickly" it's just a byproduct of the traditional clay tempering and they liked them that way 🙂 it was their style and culture.

[@mikloskallo9046]

Other sources say curvature helped drawing the sword (typically a tachi) when on horseback. The previous katanas were not curved. The uchi-katana was supposed to replace the tachi in the Edo period, when one on one horseback fight was replaced by fighting on foot, that's why the uchi-katana is shorter and has less curvature, than the tachi. Tachis are said to be worn similarly to European (etc.) style, with the blade downwards and the scabbard hanging on short ropes or other attachments, while the uchi-katana and wakizashi is worn the blade up, tucked in the sash. Interestingly, this is reflected on how these blades are displayed, if the blade is facing dowmwards, it should be a tachi (at least as I learned from other sources).

[@arno_nuehm_1]

The curvature helps for more constant 'cutting energy'.

[@jacobharris3208]

@@arno_nuehm_1 what does that even mean

[@jacobharris3208]

@@arno_nuehm_1 I have curved swords and straight swords, and I've cut flesh with both types, and there is absolutely no difference at all. They both cut. The actual profile of the edge is the number one factor that determines a swords cutting ability, not it's curvature or lack of

[@wallaroo1295]

Well... *This was AI as fuck.*

[@MarcLombart]

nmoying and serves no purpose.

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

You are incorrect. The Taichi or the O-Katana was the primary battle sword. It would be 32 inches or longer. The Taichi was the primary sword of the front-line "knights." The Katana - less than 30 inches long - was a secondary sword as a backup for spearmen, pike-men, arabesques men, archers and second line logistics men. The wakizashi was the last resort fighting knife for close in fighting when all else was lost. The Katana only became the "primary" sword in the Edo period after the Japanese had finished their 700 years of slaughtering each other and became poetry writers, calligraphers and men of leisure. It is interesting that you are willing to admit that japanese swords frequently broke in combat. Most people think the Katana is magical and can cut through time and canon barrels.

[@LippyHungstocking]

This is the True Way.

[@romans883]

POOR Samurai ONLY warrior in history FORCED to carry 2nd BACK UP SWORD due POOR quality of Japanese metallurgy ... Fun fact : Long bow and Yari spear were true weapons of Samurai. Not so fun fact : Katana often chip or bend when hit on the flat side ! If they only knew how to craft SPRING STEEL and save time on folding crap iron bars 1000 times 😂😂😂😂😂😂