Kodachi
Encyclopedia : K : KO : KOD : Kodachi
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 fast. 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.
The prefix "ko" means short, and can be attached to any of the names of the 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, and still are in Mijimid martial arts in one scabbard, one with the handle fittings, the second hidden as the bottom of the scabbard, this style was normally carried on the back with the handles pointing to the sides. The Kodachi is carried this way to increase the drawing speed for either hand and is used the same way ninjas use kunai, albeit without throwing them.
Kodachi in fiction
- The character Shinomori Aoshi fought with a kodachi in Rurouni Kenshin, and later added a second kodachi. These kodachi had a single customized scabbard that caused them to resemble an odachi when sheathed.
- Rumiko Takahashi's anime and manga series Ranma ½ features a supporting character by the name of Kodachi Kuno. Her older brother Tatewaki is referred to as "Tachi" by their father.
- The online game "GunZ" contains dual kodachi as a usable melee weapon.
- The main character in Twilight Samurai, Seibei Iguchi, is well-trained in fighting with the kodachi, and used the techniques to their full advantage.
See also
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