Wind and Thunder Wakizashi

Description of the Product

Wakizashi is a short Japanese sword that has a slight curve to its blade. Wakizashi became most commonly know from the hips of the Samurai who wore a Wakizashi or Tanto in addition to the longer Katana. This combination of two weapons is called Daisho, which as a direct translation means big and small. This combination of two weapons was allowed only for the Samurai who ruled Feudal Japan for almost 700 years and was a clear symbol of high social status, power and prestige.

Wakizashi was smart slicing weapon but was efficient in thrusts as well. As a side-arm this short sword was excellent inside, in tight spots, corridors and in close combat hand-to-hand fights. When entering castles it was typical to leave Katana and other bigger weapons at the castle door but keeping Wakizashi at your side was allowed for the Samurai. Wakizashi was also excellent choice when dual wielding. Katana in right hand and Wakizashi in the left was technique made famous and perfected by the famous Miyamoto Musashi.

The Wind and Thunder wakizashi is designed as a pair for Wind and Thunder Katana by Paul Chen specifically for the martial artist who needs a sword to meet the demands of heavy target cutting, Tameshigiri. The waksizashi features a heavier and thicker blade hand forged of T10 steel, with traditional furniture and fittings.

The tsuba is crafted of blackened stainless steel and features Raiden/Raijin, the god of thunder and lightning in Japanese mythology and in the Shinto religion. This demon-looking spirit has his drums which he beats with his hammers, creating lightning, thunder, chaos and destruction, but necessities such as rain as well. As with other gods in the Japanese pantheon, Raiden is not simply good or evil, but unfathomable, as mysterious gods tend to be. Historically Japan has had its fair share of weather based devastations, from tsunamis to typhoons, and these are often attributed to Raiden or to Fuijin, the god of wind. These two gods have protected and saved Japan too, most famously during 1274 and 1281. The gods produced kamikaze, a divine wind, which sunk the invading Mongol fleets on two separate invasion attempts, thus thwarting the expansion of the Khans into East and saving Japan.

The fuchi and kashira, the fittings at both ends of the handle, feature a mitsudomoe motif. The three circular commas, or droplets, of the mitsudomoe, are an almost universal symbol, found in most cultures. One of the most famous examples is the Celtic triscelion. These three legged circlets are often thought to represent the circle of life but in Japan and Shinto religion the symbol is associated with Hachiman, the god of war and archery. As the symbol of warriors, it is a common heraldic motif for many samurai clans. Tomoe, the single comma or droplet of the mitsudomoe, is thought to symbolize an armguard. The swirl also symbolizes water, and has been used as a charm/spell against fire.

The tsuka is wrapped in genuine same (ray skin) and the tsuka-ito is premium Japanese black cotton. The saya is finished in a traditional black lacquer with a black cotton sageo. A Traditional Japanese Sword maintenance kit is included. The kit contains blade oil (traditional choji oil that is made of mineral and clove oil), rice papers, an oiling cloth, a powder ball for blade polishing, a brass awl and hammer that is used if one wishes to disassemble the sword, and a Saya shimming veneer to retighten the scabbard to the blade if needed. The kit is contained in a fitted wooden box. Also included is traditional brocaded blue silk cloth bag to keep your sword in pristine condition when in storage or while transporting.

Made by Hanwei. Specs can vary slightly from piece to piece.

• Overall length: 66.4 cm
• Blade length: 46.6 cm
• Handle length: 16.5 cm
• Weight: 800 g
• Point of Balance: 7.2 cm
• Width at Guard: 2.9 cm
• Width at Tip: 1.9 cm
• Thickness at Guard: 6.6 mm
• Thickness at Tip: 6.5 mm
• Blade material: T10 Carbon Steel
• Sharpness: Very sharp