Kodachi

From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source

A kodachi (小太刀) literally translates into "small or short tachi"; this Japanese sword was too short to be considered a long sword but too long to be a dagger. Because of its size, it could be drawn and swung extremely quickly. Thus it could be used as something of a shield, while using a form of hand to hand combat to attack. Since this sword was shorter than 2 shaku (about 2 ft.) in length, it did not exceed the blade length limits of non-samurai during the Edo period and could be worn by merchants.

Kodachi length is similar to that of the wakizashi, and though the blades differ greatly in construction, the kodachi and the wakizashi are similar enough in size and technique that the terms are sometimes (mis)used interchangeably. While the kodachi was a set length, the wakizashi was forged to compliment the height of its wielder or the length of the katana it was paired with, and thus varied. The kodachi also features greater curvature than a wakizashi.

The prefix "ko" means short, and can be attached to any of the names of specific types of swords to indicate something shorter than "normal". As the prefix "o-" means great/long, it follows that the opposite end of this length spectrum of the tachi is the odachi. Two Kodachi were, sometimes carried in one scabbard, one with the handle fittings, the second hidden as the bottom of the scabbard. Kodachi sheathed in this style was normally carried on the back with the handles pointing to the sides, thus enabling them to be drawn simultaneously. The kodachi's size ranges between 2ft and 2.75ft long hence the kodachi's size brought on a lighter weight which cut some of its attack ability but instead raised its defense capability. it is known as "A sword that can be used as a shield" hence the name shield sword