Wakizashi is a traditional Japanese short sword that was commonly used as a companion to the katana. It typically has a blade length between 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches). The wakizashi was worn by samurai as a backup weapon or for indoor use, where the longer katana might be impractical.
During feudal Japan, the wakizashi was considered a symbol of a samurai's social status and honor. It was also used in the ritual of seppuku (suicide by disembowelment) as a means of quick and honorable death for a samurai who had lost their honor.
Today, wakizashi swords hold cultural and historical significance, and they are often collected as valuable artifacts or used in martial arts and traditional Japanese swordsmanship training.