With records of their use dating back to the 15th century, wakizashi originally did not refer to a sword of a universally recognised length but instead, as an abbreviation of ‘wakizashi no katana’, referred to a ‘sword thrust at one’s side’. This name arose from the practice of wearing a short sword insert through an obi or waist sash. However, regulations introduced for the samurai class during the Edo period ushered in official lengths of recognised wakizashi (30-60cm) as part of the Tokugawa shogunate’s ruling that all samurai must wear a katana and short sword pairing. Wakizashi may appear similar to katana but diminutive in size due to their curved single edged blade, but they were frequently forged using different methods.