The Kodachi is a short Japanese sword traditionally associated with the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Literally meaning “small tachi”, it served as a companion weapon to longer blades and filled a niche between the dagger-sized tantō and the full-length tachi or katana. Though often confused with wakizashi, the kodachi is distinct in its construction and purpose, largely tied to its mounting style and fixed proportions.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blade length | Typically 30–60 cm |
| Total length | Around 60–70 cm |
| Curvature (sori) | Moderate to shallow |
| Mounting | Tachi-style (edge-down when worn) |
| Blade construction | Traditionally folded steel (tamahagane) |
| Primary use | Secondary weapon, sometimes for children or guards |
The kodachi was forged similarly to other Japanese swords, often using the same differential hardening techniques and polishing standards.
History and Evolution
Kodachi swords emerged during the Kamakura period, a time of political consolidation and frequent warfare. As the bushi class solidified its status, the need for varied weapon lengths became more pronounced. The kodachi may have functioned as:
- A sidearm for foot soldiers or lower-ranking samurai
- A training or ceremonial sword for young retainers
- A court weapon worn by guards or attendants
Unlike the wakizashi, which became common later during the Edo period, the kodachi was typically produced as a standalone weapon, not as a matching pair with a katana.
Kodachi production largely declined after the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, as changing combat tactics and sword fashions shifted toward the daishō pairing of katana and wakizashi.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Lighter and more manoeuvrable than full-length swords
- Easy to carry in confined or formal settings
- Mounted like a tachi, which made it suitable for quick draws from the belt
- Historical examples often finely crafted, indicating prestige use
Disadvantages:
- Too short for open battlefield use
- Less cutting power than longer blades
- Rarity today makes it difficult to define standardised combat techniques
- Often overshadowed in literature and practice by the wakizashi
Comparison with Similar Weapons
| Feature | Kodachi | Wakizashi | Tantō |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 30–60 cm blade | 30–60 cm blade | Usually under 30 cm |
| Mounting Style | Tachi-style (edge-down) | Katana-style (edge-up) | Katana-style |
| Historical Usage | Kamakura period; earlier | Edo period; companion to katana | All periods; close combat and ritual use |
| Paired Weapon | Not typically paired | Paired with katana | Not usually paired |
| Blade Profile | More curvature | Less curvature | Straight or slightly curved |
Legacy
The kodachi holds a niche but meaningful place in Japanese sword history. Though it was never a dominant battlefield weapon, its craftsmanship and unique dimensions appeal to collectors, martial artists, and historians. In modern Japanese swordsmanship, the kodachi rarely appears in formal kata but may feature in private collections and museum displays as an example of Kamakura-era martial elegance.
Where to See
Several institutions hold examples of kodachi blades, often attributed to famous smiths of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods:
- Tokyo National Museum: Houses multiple short tachi or kodachi examples from the Kamakura period
- Kyoto National Museum: Displays blades with unique koshirae (fittings) and inscriptions
- British Museum (London): Occasionally exhibits Japanese swords, including short tachi, in its arms and armour section
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York): Maintains a permanent collection of Japanese arms featuring kodachi-like blades
Collector’s Guide
Rarity:
True kodachi are rare compared to wakizashi or tantō. Most are classified under the Nihonto category as tachi with shorter blade length, making their classification sometimes ambiguous.
Key Features to Verify:
- Blade signed by known Kamakura or Muromachi smiths
- Mounted in edge-down tachi fittings
- Curvature consistent with early period styles
- Uniformity between blade and mounting (not retrofitted)
Auction Prices (Recent Examples):
| Year | Auction House | Blade Smith | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Bonhams, London | Unnamed Kamakura smith | £14,000 | Short tachi with tachi-style koshirae |
| 2019 | Christie’s, New York | Attributed to Rai Kunimitsu | £25,000 | Signed kodachi, strong provenance |
| 2023 | Aoi Art, Japan (private) | Naminohira school | £8,700 | Blade in good condition, unsigned |
Tips for Collectors:
- Be cautious of mislabelled wakizashi sold as kodachi
- Look for tachi-style mounts and strong provenance
- Work with specialists in Kamakura-period blades
The Seven Swords takeaway
The kodachi may not hold the battlefield prestige of the katana or the cultural weight of the tantō, but it remains a finely crafted weapon that speaks to the diversity of medieval Japanese arms. For collectors, it offers a rare glimpse into transitional sword forms and the martial tastes of the early samurai elite.
