Wakizashi

A wakizashi to start a Japanese sword collection

The wakizashi can be an excellent first choice for starting a Japanese sword collection. Indeed, it offers many advantages over the traditional katana and its two-shaku, or sixty-centimetre, blade. Its handling can be complex and even difficult to master. It's important not to injure yourself with it.

So why not start by acquiring a wakizashi? It's a good way to start your collection. Lack of space won't be an obstacle. A small section of available wall will be enough to accommodate your wakizashi.

Especially since wakizashis have all the qualities of classic katanas. They are also traditional samurai swords. Hand-forged, they are manufactured according to the same rules, and undergo selective clay tempering and a long polishing process. The same specialized craftsmen are responsible for all these stages.

A wakizashi for decoration

The wakizashi is a magnificent and elegant decorative object. It brings a touch of Japanese culture to your home, while remaining discreet. Japan is a fascinating country with deep-rooted traditions, still in force today, that reflect a certain art of living. That's why so many people around the world love to honor this country by adding a little Japanese touch to their homes.

A wakizashi will stand out particularly well if you place it on a suitable wall display. It's a beautiful Asian reminder. You'll be able to move it easily if you want to, as its small size lends itself well to this. It's easy to handle and much easier to find a suitable place for it.

If you like to change your décor regularly, the wakizashi will never be an obstacle. If this is your case, you're better off installing it on a free-standing display stand. This way, you can place your Japanese sword wherever you like, on a chest of drawers or sideboard. If you're visited by young children, it's a simple matter to position it at the top of a bookcase for added safety.

Create a daishō by adding a wakizashi to your katana

If you already own a traditional katana, you may want to add another piece of equipment to it. In this case, the wakizashi is the perfect complement to your Japanese katana. Indeed, a second katana may not be the best option for everyone. Depending on the space available in your home, this can become a complicated task.

So why not create an authentic daishō by adding a wakizahi to your katana? You'll create a recreation of the most widely used and best-known pair of Japanese swords used by authentic samurai. The daishō is an excellent way of continuing a collection of real samurai swords while diversifying it.

More original than a katana, the daishō is a demonstration of your knowledge of samurai ways and customs. It's a way of setting yourself apart by loudly asserting your adherence to the samurai code of honor, the famous Bushido. Not to mention that, from a purely aesthetic point of view, the visuals of the two swords are very well done.