short sword

[cloud72]

iv been intrested in a kenjutsu class that uses a wakizashi.anyone know of such a style?

[thesnake]

thts a good question ik musashi used a style with two swords- one katana one wakazashi but no wakazashi only styles

[Tai Chi Fighter]

All Kenjutsu styles involve both the Katana and Wakizashi.

[cloud72]

i know this,but all that i have participated in ,the wakizashi is the lesser used sword,i would like to find one where this was reversed

[kroh]

Ok...this is my first post so here goes...

The wakizashi (belt companion)...much like the larger blade, the katana (sword of the ancestors), had a secondary purpose in Japanese military tactics. In modern day analogies, the katana would have been like a pistol and the spear/glaive and bow/musket(rifle) would have been the primary weapons. The wakizashi would have been like a deringer you carried in the house. This blade or a tanto/aikuchi (dagger) would have been worn with the larger blade by the soldier nobility (samurai). When in doors, the long sword would commonly be handed off and the short blade would be worn. Some pikeman (infantry) could wear a dagger while carrying a spear and some even wore wakizashi. Most japanese systems practiced a total weapon mentality... If I have to carry it I should learn to use it. Some schools even used the Wakizashi as a secondary weapon on the battlefield.

While it is a bit strange for some one to want to learn any archaic weapon like these (sword, spear, or belt cleaver), The wakizashi was used the least as it was suited to fighting in close quarters (inside or if you got tangled up with another soldier).

Anyway...

Some schools you might want to contact for training (They will most likely not teach you only the short sword tchniques...and many of them will likely tell you to pound sand...but it is worth a shot).

Nami Ryu
Niten Ichi Ryu
Takamura Ha Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu (These guys will most likely answer your questions but will be guarded about training)

Those are some of the ones I can think of off the top of my head. If you have any questions feel free to send me a pm or email.

Regards,
Walt