A wakizashi (脇差) is a traditional Japanese sword with a shorter blade than a katana, typically ranging between 30–60 cm. It was worn alongside the katana as part of the daishō (大小, “big and small” pair), symbolizing the samurai class during the Edo period (1603–1868). The wakizashi served as a backup weapon, a tool for indoor combat.

Sugata (姿, Blade Shape)

• The wakizashi shares many design elements with the katana, often having a similar shinogi-zukuri (鎬造り, ridged blade profile).
• The curvature is usually shallower than a tachi, making it effective for close-quarters combat.
• Blade length typically ranges from 30–60 cm, but the standard ō-wakizashi (大脇差, large wakizashi) is around 50–55 cm, while the ko-wakizashi (小脇差, small wakizashi) is closer to 30–45 cm.