Wakizashi

The wakizashi is the short-sword companion of the Katana. Its blade is forged the same way, and the weapon looks like a shorter version of the katana. It is often part of a matched set with the katana, and is of almost equal importance as the katana to the samurai. Only samurai can wear both katana and wakizashi.

Wakizashi proficiency is related to the short sword. Weapon Specialization confers the usual benefits. Many samurai fight with the katana in one hand and wakizashi in the other, in two-weapon technique, and some learn the Two-Weapon Style specialization to further improve their ability with this style.

Wakizashis are as hard to come by as katanas.