Japanese Haikuchi Sword

By Crusader1307

The Japanese Haikuchi Sword was used as a personal defense weapon among the Japanese wealthy class. Shorter than the traditional Katana Blade, they featured an 8 to 10 inch, single-edged body with a traditional Handle. The Haikuchi featured no hand guard (Tsuba). The Handle was constructed of either wood or animal bone, and wrapped in stretched wet leather. Dried, it provided and excellent grip. Scabbards were made of chemically treated (lamented) wood. The Haikuchi was somewhat comparable to the European Cane Sword.