Uchigatana

Uchigatana ( Japanese打 刀 - " slash sword") was the name for the shorter of two swords carried by a samurai .

In the warlike Muromachi period (1392–1568) it became a custom to wear a second sword in the obi (belt) in addition to the tachi . The Uchigatana had a blade about 60 cm long and was used with one hand. In contrast to the tachi, which was designed for fighting on horseback, the uchigatana could be better used for fighting in houses.

Towards the end of the Muromachi period and at the beginning of the Momoyama period (1568–1603) it became customary to carry two swords as a pair ( daisho ) in the obi with the edge upwards (like the uchigatana). For this, the blades were made shorter and called katana and wakizashi .