Kodachi
| Kodachi | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | sword |
| Designations: | Kodachi |
| Use: | weapon |
| Region of origin / author: |
Japan , samurai, armourers |
| Distribution: | Japan |
| Overall length: | about 85 cm |
| Blade length: | about 40 cm to about 65 cm |
| Handle: | Metal, wood, ray skin (same), silk, cotton |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Kodachi ( Japanese 小 太 刀 , dt. "Small thick sword, thick short sword") is a shorter variant of the Japanese long sword known as Tachi .
description
The blade length corresponds roughly to that of a wakizashi (short sword), i.e. between 40 and 65 cm. The kodachi was used by some samurai who preferred this type of short sword because it was lighter than a katana and could be swung faster. The main difference between a wakizashi and the kodachi is that a kodachi is (mostly) wider than the wakizashi. In addition, in contrast to the wakizashi, the kodachi was always carried with the cutting edge down and in a weir hanger, while the wakizashi was carried with the cutting edge up and in an obi (fabric belt). In contrast to the other Japanese weapons, besides the Kodachi, no other sword-like weapon was usually carried - however, there are also old Japanese drawings (approx. 16th century) on which a warrior is depicted who, next to the Kodachi in the right one, another Kodachi in the left hand holds. Again there are historical (unconfirmed!) Sources that indicate that a slightly longer tanto was worn next to the Kodachi .
The Kodachi can be used to build a good (and above all fast) defense, while still being able to carry out fast - and therefore deadly - attacks with it. In addition, you can easily handle a Kodachi with one hand.
literature
- Serge Mol: Classical weaponry of Japan: special weapons and tactics of the martial arts. Kodansha International, 2003, ISBN 978-4-7700-2941-6 , p. 23.
- Kanzan Satō, Joe Earle: The Japanese sword. Volume 12 of the Japanese arts library, Kodansha International Verlag, 1983, ISBN 978-0-87011-562-2 , p. 54.
