How does a short samurai sword compare to a wakizashi in length and style?
Updated Feb 2026
A short samurai sword in this collection is essentially synonymous with the wakizashi in most practical collecting contexts. The wakizashi is the Japanese term for the short sword in the daisho pair, defined by a blade length of approximately twelve to twenty-four inches - longer than the tanto and shorter than the full katana. Short katana pieces in this collection share the wakizashi's length range and blade geometry, with a curved single-edged blade in the katana family profile rather than the straight blade of the ninjato. The curved blade profile, tsuba guard, ito-wrapped handle, and lacquered scabbard configuration that defines the wakizashi and short katana is the same as that of the full-length katana, scaled to the shorter blade length. For display purposes, the shorter blade makes the piece easier to mount on standard display hardware and suitable for smaller display spaces, while the curved blade and full fitting set give it the same aesthetic richness as a full-length katana.