Wakizashi (脇差 side-inset) is a shorter samurai sword, an auxiliary weapon that samurai used and carried alongside the katana. Wakizashi was used in close combat when the katana was too long to use. for example in a small room, dense forest. A samurai was not allowed to bring a katana into the castle, while a Wakizashi was allowed inside for self-protection. The length of the wakizashi blade is about 30-60 cm.
